PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Richard Hatch, who won $1 million on the first season of the reality show “Survivor,” said he has no problem being remembered as the “fat naked guy” from the CBS show. But he doesn’t want to be remembered as a cheat.

He pleaded innocent Monday in U.S. District Court in Providence to charges that he failed to pay taxes on his winnings and other income. The Newport resident has been charged with tax evasion, filing a false tax return, wire fraud, bank fraud and mail fraud.

A grand jury indictment filed earlier this month said Hatch filed false tax returns for 2000 and 2001 that omitted his income from the reality show, $327,000 he earned as co-host of “The Wilde Show” on WQSX-FM in Boston and $28,000 in rent on a property he owns in Newport.

Hatch, 44, a former corporate trainer, said the 10-count indictment was retribution for his refusal earlier this year to follow through with a plea deal.

“It was absurd in the spring, and it’s still absurd,” he said. “They thought I was going to accept two years in jail for something I didn’t do.”

The indictment also accused Hatch of misusing $36,500 from Horizon Bound, a nonprofit camp he set up. For example, he allegedly kept for himself a $10,000 donation made in return for his appearance on the NBC game show “Weakest Link.” He spent the money from the game show on a construction project at his house, the indictment said.

Outside the court before the hearing began, Hatch told reporters he was innocent of the charges.

“I’ve never taken a penny from a charity, and they know it. I’ve always paid my taxes, and they know it,” he said, concluding, “I think it’s personal at this point.”

U.S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente said Hatch knew what he was getting into.

“After he decided not to go forward … we did exactly what we said we were going to do, which was submit the information to a grand jury,” Corrente said.

The indictment said Hatch had two accountants prepare tax returns for 2000 that included his “Survivor” winnings, but he did not file them when he learned he would owe hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes. In 2002, he had one of the accountants prepare a second return that did not include his winnings from the television show. He filed that one, which called for a $4,500 refund, the indictment said.

Hatch faces a maximum of 75 years in prison if found guilty on all charges. He also could face millions of dollars in fines.

On “Survivor,” Hatch stood out as a cunning and ruthless competitor.

, but he showed a softer side Monday, talking about his efforts to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. He had just returned from Houston where he served food and helped evacuees secure housing.

“It’s an opportunity for me to use this wackiness in a good way,” Hatch said, noting that as the first “Survivor” he has the most name recognition.

Judge Lincoln Almond released Hatch on $50,000 bond but restricted his travel to Rhode Island and Houston, where his lawyer’s office is located, and ordered him to turn over his passport.

Hatch said the charges have already cost him a number of jobs, including a spot on a CBS show.

In March, Hatch told several news organizations that he thought CBS was responsible for paying the taxes on his “Survivor” prize. CBS has said Hatch knew it was his responsibility to pay taxes on the money.

AP-ES-09-19-05 1405EDT