Hatch faults articles

"I am an innocent man," writes "Survivor" winner Richard Hatch from prison. (STEW MILNE/ap file 2005)

Enmeshed in my struggle for freedom, I have desperately sought opportunities to explain the circumstances of my case and the tragedy of my prosecution. Boston Globe reporter Joanna Weiss's articles ("Prosecutors: Hatch squandered chance to address deal," Living/Arts, Jan. 6; "Embarrassment and riches," Arts & Entertainment, Dec. 31; "For Hatch, fame has been the real test of survival," Living/Arts, May 16) stand out as credible and objective.

Still, no investigative journalism has yet confronted the blatant abuses of power, bigotry-driven enmity, nor the numerous pitfalls of our current legal system to which I have been subjected.

Even Ms. Weiss in her December article both inaccurately and, I believe, flippantly writes "It's not unusual, of course, to find a prisoner who claims innocence, or a celebrity, fallen from grace, who seeks absolution."

In fact, in our frighteningly flawed system, there are many innocents sacrificed. I am anything but a celebrity fallen from grace seeking absolution. I am the textbook "regular guy" propelled to fame by the first network reality show.

I would no more apologize for my winning tactics on "Survivor" than a football player might apologize for his touchdown. Regardless, the issue of innocent people in jail should be addressed more seriously.

In Ms. Weiss's Jan. 6 article, I am disappointed by the perfunctory mention of my acquittal on seven counts of fraud. I was convicted of two counts of tax evasion and one count of filing a false tax return, all of which were prepared and filed simultaneously.

Although unethical prosecutors would have you believe otherwise, my accountant and I were faced with fitting square pegs into round holes in my 2000 and 2001 tax returns. This did not happen repeatedly. There was no intent to defraud.

I am an innocent man, stalked and bullied by government representatives whose role it should have been to ethically resolve any discrepancies. Imprisoned now one year, I optimistically await the decision of the appellate judges in Boston's First Circuit Court, hopeful I will finally be allowed to speak the truth which, all along, I have been trying to tell.

RICHARD HATCH
Federal Correctional Institute
Morgantown Morgantown, W.Va.

I have read that the only reason billionaires buy newspapers is because they're all greybeards who don't understand that newspapers are dying in the age of the Internet. Then I read Matthew Gilbert's review of "Rome" ("Decadence rules in randy, fun 'Rome,' " Living/Arts, Jan. 13 ) and Ty Burr's review of "Primeval" ("A monster movie with a message," Living/Arts, Jan. 13 ) and hope it isn't so. I just don't see that crisp, funny, pointed writing anywhere else.

JOHN BONAVIA
Needham

I agree with Matthew Gilbert that Ian Hart is truly "an actor to watch" ("Plum role in 'Dirt' makes Hart an actor to watch," Arts & Entertainment, Jan. 14 ). I am following "Dirt" with fascination; it is edgy and dark, and different, but the best reason is Ian Hart's portrayal of Don Konkey. He's a chameleon actor who can blend perfectly into a role. I watched "The Virgin Queen" and recognized Hart as the faithful adviser. What a transformation. He's remarkable.

NANCY DESHAIES
Yarmouthport

Ken Johnson's article on the ICA was accurate, well written, and thought provoking ("From charred wood to tropical fantasies," Arts & Entertainment, Jan. 14 ). I agree with his comments on the prize nominees but wish to comment on [his suggestion that the ICA reconsider the prize's nominating process and restriction to Boston artists].

Since 2000, our Jerome Lyle Rappaport Charitable Foundation has supported the Rappaport Prize given by the DeCordova Museum to a New England artist. In 2005, we initiated a formal evaluation of the prize that helped the museum expand its approach to selecting the annual winner. Their process used to include research by their own curators and director. Their 2006 process included ideas from a number of persons from other institutions and resulted in the selection of the terrific Abelardo Morell. As we approach the 10th anniversary of this gift, we expect the DeCordova will do a retrospective on the prizewinners. So, my answers to the questions Johnson poses are: Yes, there are more ambitious, original, and daring artists working in New England. Should the ICA do more for local artists? Not necessarily, because the DeCordova already focuses on New England artists and the Rappaport Prize is an excellent vehicle for recognizing them.

PHYLLIS RAPPAPORT
Chair, Jerome Lyle Rappaport Charitable Foundation
Lincoln

Interesting piece on Howard Stern by Geoff Edgers ("A year after getting Sirius, Stern's entertaining as ever, Arts & Entertainment, Jan. 7 ). He mentioned something that readers should have more information about: Stern still does commercials? Didn't satellite promise no commercials? I'm not surprised. The same promise and the same commercials eventually ended up on cable TV. And, if Mel Karmazin and competing execs are going to make a go of satellite radio in the long run, the business model is going to gravitate to more spots. However, for an industry attempting to lure listeners, listeners could view it as a turn off.

BRUCE E. SPITZER
Hopkinton

I was very disappointed with Ken Johnson's review ("Painting a picture of Puerto Rico's early masters," Living/Arts, Jan. 3). He missed the show's point. It was assembled to show early artists and give a history of the island. Although the painters were not of Monet's caliber, they did achieve the objectives. The Worcester area has many Puerto Rican people, an excellent reason for the show to be in the Worcester Art Museum.

HENRY WOOD
Shrewsbury