NEWPORT, R.I. - "Survivor" winner Richard Hatch says he believes he was sent to prison because he's gay.
Speaking publicly for the first time since being released into home confinement, Hatch told NBC's "Today" show on Tuesday that he believes the judge in his tax evasion case discriminated against him.
He says he believes that if he were heterosexual, he would not have gone to prison.
A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office says Hatch's claims are baseless and former U.S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente -- whose office oversaw the case -- told WPRO-AM that Hatch is "delusional."
Hatch was convicted in 2006 of failing to pay taxes on his $1-million prize for the first season of the CBS reality show. He was given extra prison time for lying on the stand.
