After winning a million dollars, you would think a person would not have any financial problems.

This is why many people were surprised when it was announced that 'Survivor' winner Richard Hatch had been found guilty of tax evasion.

In addition to not paying taxes on his winnings from 'Survivor,' Hatch failed to pay taxes on $327,000 he earned as a co-host of a radio show and $28,000 in rental property fees. The Rhode Island native now faces up to 13 years in prison and a $600,000 fine.

The ruling comes as no surprise to UD entertainment law professor Dennis Greene. He believes contestants often get caught up with the possibility of becoming famous and ignore the risks of appearing on reality TV shows.

Contestants are required to sign many complex documents in order to participate in a reality TV contest. People frequently do not understand their legal responsibilities.

'If there is a tax liability, there is no difference between the contestants and everyone else,' Greene said.

Hatch said he thought the producers of 'Survivor' were responsible for paying the taxes on his winnings. Hatch's lawyer, Michael Minns, alleged that Hatch caught other participants cheating and the producers agreed to pay his taxes if he won. However, Hatch was not asked about the allegation when he testified.

Greene suggests that people obtain legal counsel before agreeing to appear on reality TV shows.

'It is important that you get legal representation and investigate what the tax liabilities are,' Greene said.

Furthermore, writers and producers are usually pressured to create compelling TV shows, which can result in unfair treatment of contestants.

'Their job is to entertain, and you hope that it is not at your expense,' Greene said. 'A lot of burden is put on participants and some people come out of reality TV shows kind of embarrassed.'

'Survivor' is not the only reality TV show to be locked in a legal battle. Other reality TV shows have also encountered similar problems. There have been many cases involving tax evasion, stolen show ideas and negative portrayals of contestants.

In one related case, five orphans accused a couple of driving them out of a house that was built for them on ABC's 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.' The lawsuit claims the couple had originally offered to help the orphans, but later forced the children to leave the home so the couple could own the house. The couple, the builder and ABC are all mentioned in the suit.

Greene hopes that the Hatch case will make people more aware of the potential consequences of appearing on TV.

'I think that a case like this serves as a warning to people when they sign up for reality TV,' Greene said.