PROVIDENCE, R.I. — "Survivor" winner Richard Hatch is appealing his tax evasion conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Hatch was convicted two years ago of failing to pay taxes on the $1 million prize he won on the debut season of the hit CBS reality series. He is now serving a 51-month prison sentence.

Hatch's lawyer, Michael Minns, has said his client confronted the producers about cheating during taping of the show, and a producer promised that his taxes would be paid if he kept quiet and went on to win the competition.

Minns argued in a brief to the Supreme Court last week that the judge improperly prevented Hatch from testifying about that conversation.

CBS has said Hatch's claims have no merit