Greene is seeking to end Waldholtz's parental rights

Former Utah congresswoman Enid Greene is seeking to end the parental rights of her former husband, Joseph Waldholtz, for their 9-year-old daughter, who lives with Greene.

Waldholtz, who previously was sentenced to 37 months in prison in connection with illegal campaign activities involving Greene's run for the 2nd Congressional District, now is serving a second prison term, this time for stealing money from relatives.

Greene has petitioned 3rd District Juvenile Court to terminate Waldholtz's parental rights. A hearing has been set for June 14, according to the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Waldholtz served as campaign treasurer for Greene's election bid in 1994, but he later pleaded guilty to charges of tax, bank and campaign fraud for illegally funneling nearly $2 million into the congressional campaign. During his sentencing, the judge cited Waldholtz's abuse of prescription medications and heroin.

Greene said she knew nothing of Waldholtz's criminal conduct and neither did her father, Forrest Greene, who helped financially with the campaign and ended up embroiled in the ensuing scandal.

Greene in 1996 chose not to seek re-election to Congress. She currently is vice chairwoman of the state Republican Party. Greene ran for lieutenant governor in 2004 on the ticket with Nolan Karras.

Waldholtz now is serving a three-to-15-year term in a Pennsylvania prison for stealing a $25,000 insurance check from his stepmother that came from his father's estate, and forging his brother's signature on a veterans benefit check for $5,200.

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E-mail: lindat@desnews.com