Richard Hatch claims homophobia for his tax troubles

“Survivor” winner Richard Hatch claims not that prison made him gay, but that being gay put him in prison. He made the accusation on the “Today” show Tuesday, one that prosecutors in the case promptly called baseless and delusional.

Hatch, speaking publicly for the first time since being released from prison to home confinement, said he believes the judge in his tax evasion case discriminated against him. He also accused a prosecutor of misconduct.

“I know without question that there are personal issues involved for the prosecutor. I don’t know why. The prosecutorial misconduct has been egregious,” he said.

When asked whether he believes that if he was heterosexual, he would not have gone to prison, Hatch replied, “I do believe that.”

In court papers filed earlier this year, Hatch complained about prejudice in the justice system against gay people.

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office, however, said Hatch’s claims are baseless, and in a court filing in May, prosecutors pointed out that Hatch offered no evidence to support a claim that he was prosecuted because he is gay.

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.

Hatch will be released from home confinement on Oct. 7, but has asked a judge to release him immediately for a variety of reasons, including because he was represented by ineffective lawyers.

He told the “Today” show that he has been financially devastated by his tax case.