Waldholtz Failed to File ’94 Tax Returns, Lawyer Says

The lawyer for Rep. Enid Greene Waldholtz (R-Utah) said Friday that she had not filed income tax returns for 1994 and that the House Ethics Committee had begun an inquiry into her false financial disclosure forms.

Also Friday, a federal judge lifted travel restrictions on Joseph Waldholtz, her estranged husband, at the request of federal prosecutors.

Charles H. Roistacher, Enid Waldholtz’s lawyer, said his client learned from the Internal Revenue Service this week that her 1994 tax returns had never been filed. Waldholtz had said at a press conference Monday that her husband had assured her that the returns were submitted and that she was trying to determine whether that had occurred.

“The guy committed fraud on her, and we will file a tax return that correctly reflects her income and what she’s supposed to pay,” Roistacher said.

Roistacher also said the Ethics Committee had opened a preliminary inquiry into the disclosure forms that Enid Waldholtz filed as a candidate in 1994 and as a House member in 1995.

“She filed Ethics in Government Act statements which were incorrect, because of him,” Roistacher said. “She did not knowingly or willfully file any false financial disclosure forms.”

Enid Waldholtz testified for three hours Thursday before a federal grand jury investigating the couple’s finances. Friday’s court hearing for Joseph Waldholtz was to determine whether he would also testify or would invoke his 5th Amendment privilege, but Assistant U.S. Atty. William Lawler said that “cannot be determined” now.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Craig Iscoe said the investigation, which involved “numerous complicated financial transactions,” was still at an early stage.

One of Joseph Waldholtz’s attorneys, Harvey A. Sernovitz, told reporters that “Joe is here to cooperate and do what the government asks of him.” Sources close to the case said Joseph Waldholtz has been talking with federal prosecutors about the possibility of providing information about his wife’s role in their financial dealings.

He appeared relaxed and even exuberant Friday, joking with his lawyers before the hearing.