Hatch tax-evasion trial begins

Reality show star Richard Hatch is merely the ''world's worst bookkeeper," not the tax evader that prosecutors make him out to be, his attorney said yesterday as the ''Survivor" winner's tax fraud trial got underway in Providence. Prosecutor Andrew Reich told jurors the government would prove Hatch willfully failed to report his $1 million winnings from the hit CBS television show to avoid paying more than $200,000 in taxes. In fact, Reich said in his opening statement, Hatch sought a $4,500 refund from the IRS that year. On the show, Hatch become known as a cunning and ruthless competitor who was nude during much of the inaugural season of ''Survivor" in 2000. His attorney, Michael Minns, argued yesterday that Hatch was struggling with his newfound fame after winning the contest, was overwhelmed by false child abuse charges, and was relying on the advice of a self-employed accountant who was ''in over her head." Federal prosecutors say Hatch filed false tax returns for 2000 and 2001 that omitted his income from the reality show, as well as $327,000 he earned as a cohost on a Boston radio show and $28,000 in rent on a property he owns in Newport, R.I. Reich told jurors Hatch also altered checks made out to his charitable foundation, Horizon Bound, so he could use the money to renovate his Newport property.

Koppel to give NPR a hand

Ted Koppel, who ended a quarter-century run on ABC News's ''Nightline" in November, will join NPR. National Public Radio announced yesterday that, starting in June, Koppel will provide commentary about 50 times a year to ''Morning Edition" and ''All Things Considered" as well as ''Day to Day," its new midday newsmagazine. He also will serve as an analyst during breaking news and special events and contribute to the NPR website and the network's podcasts. ''I have been an unabashed fan of NPR for many years and have stolen untold excellent ideas from its programming," Koppel said. ''It's time to give something back."

Eminem marriage a step closer

Rapper Eminem and his ex-wife were expected to pick up a marriage license in the Detroit area, ahead of a second wedding that would be the latest twist in their turbulent relationship. Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers III, and Kimberly Mathers applied for a marriage license in Macomb County, just north of Detroit, on Monday, an official in the clerk's office said yesterday.

Martha's daughter takes a stand

Martha Stewart's daughter and ''Apprentice" costar, Alexis Stewart, has written New York's mayor, Michael Bloomberg, a letter urging him to support a citywide ban on horse-drawn carriages. In a letter written on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Stewart said she was upset by a recent accident involving a horse that ran into traffic while pulling a carriage home from Central Park. The carriage driver was seriously injured. The horse, which hit a car, was euthanized. ''As evidenced by this catastrophe," Stewart wrote, ''horse-drawn carriages aren't just cruel to the horses who are forced to work long hours in extreme weather conditions while walking on hard pavement and inhaling exhaust fumes all day long; they are equally dangerous to riders, drivers, pedestrians, and motorists."

'Sabrina' star has a baby boy

Melissa Joan Hart, former star of TV series ''Sabrina, the Teenage Witch," has given birth to a boy. Mason Walter Wilkerson was born Wednesday afternoon and weighs 9 pounds, People magazine reported. It is the first child for Hart, 29, and her husband, Mark Wilkerson, 28, lead singer and guitarist for rock band Course of Nature.

Apple up for honor

Singer-songwriter Fiona Apple is among the finalists for the inaugural New Pantheon Awards, which continue the mission of the defunct Shortlist Prize in recognizing noteworthy albums that have sold fewer than 500,000 copies in the United States. The winner will be announced Feb. 6 in Los Angeles. Apple's ''Extraordinary Machine" will vie for the award with the Arcade Fire's ''Funeral," Animal Collective's ''Feels," Antony and the Johnsons' ''I Am a Bird Now," Bloc Party's ''Silent Alarm," Death Cab for Cutie's ''Plans," the Decemberists' ''Picaresque," Kings of Leon's ''Aha Shake Heartbreak," M.I.A.'s ''Arular," and Sufjan Stevens's ''Illinois."

Song and Dance

'They're friends. The media made so much more out of everything that the public has no clarity about any of it. And that's the tragedy. They're two nice people who don't choose to live in public.' Holly Gleason, publicist for Kenny Chesney, who was seen recently at a sandwich shop near Nashville with his ex-wife, Renee Zellweger.

FROM WIRE REPORTS