Will Trump rescue Richard Hatch from prison?
Celebrity Apprentice 4 contestant Richard Hatch turned himself in to U.S. Marshals Monday after being ordered to serve nine-months in prison for delinquent taxes.
Richard won Survivor: Borneo and failed to pay taxes on the $1 million prize. He spent three years behind bars and has still not made any attempt to pay back the IRS for a bill that now exceeds $2 million.
In light of Richard’s money troubles, Donald Trump told People magazine: “It sounds like a very tough predicament. I may ask him if there is anything I can do…I may get involved and ask him what the hell is going on.”
What would Trump do if Richard asks for help in paying off the debt? He said: “I’d think about it, he’s a great character on the show.”
The finale of Celebrity Apprentice 4 will air on May 22, 2011. Did Richard make it to the finale? Donald plays coy: “If he is in the finals – and I’m not saying he is – I’m sure we can get him time off for good behavior.”
Leave it to The Donald to hype his show by using the Hatch situation to his own advantage. That ploy worked for the mogul during Celebrity Apprentice 3, when Bret Michaels experienced life-threatening health issues and Trump turned it into a media blitz for the show. The finale was a ratings bonanza and the musician ended up winning.
Two contestants have been eliminated since the show premiered last week: David Cassidy got the boot first and this week the lovely Lisa Rinna was eaten alive by Star Jones and Dionne Warwick. It was decidedly nasty business … to be sure.
Photo Credit: PNP / WENN