Hatch, 47, was sentenced to four years and three months in prison by a Rhode Island federal court in 2006 for failing to pay taxes on the $1 million prize he won on the show's debut season. He is scheduled to be released in October 2009.

Hatch's attorney, Michael Minns, told U.S. District Judge Ernest Torres that Hatch had caught show employees smuggling food to other contestants during taping in Borneo in 2000. He said a producer promised him his taxes would be paid if he kept quiet and went on to win the competition, a claim CBS has strongly denied.

Besides his "Survivor" winnings, Hatch also was convicted of evading taxes on $327,000 he earned as co-host of a Boston radio show and $28,000 in rent on property he owed.

"He's disappointed with the decision," Minns said Wednesday. "He's been worried about his family and taking care of them the entire time."

Last update: 01-29-2009 14:50