Judge: Tax Bill Stands, But Property Seizure Denied
While the court agreed that the tax liens were valid and Hatch owed the full debt—including penalties and interest—it pushed back on the enforcement mechanism. In a surprising twist, the judge said the IRS failed to show Hatch retained a “beneficial interest” in the properties.
The court acknowledged the transactions were questionable but not sufficiently proven as fraudulent under federal standards.
As a result, Hatch’s $3.3 million tab remains, but the court will not allow federal agents to seize or sell the sister-owned properties to collect on the debt.
Battle of the Lawyers – And One Pro Se Survivor
Hatch, ever the lone wolf, represented himself in the case. His sister, Kristin Hatch, was represented by Gerard J. Levins of Levins Tax Law LLC, while the federal government was backed by Samantha S. Lieb of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Tax Division.
The IRS and Department of Justice did not respond to requests for comment. Hatch, too, remained silent—though his legal odyssey seems far from over.
While Hatch may have outwitted and outplayed competitors on TV, in the courtroom, the IRS has proved harder to outlast.
