Tom Green is charged with four counts of bigamy and one count of criminal nonsupport. Here is a brief explanation of those charges.
_Bigamy: Utah's bigamy statute does not allow a person who is married to their spouse to cohabit with another. Although Green does not have valid marriage licenses with any of his wives, a judge has declared he is legally married to his first wife, Linda, under Utah's common law. To prove its case, the state must show that Green knowingly lived with the other women as man and wife while he was married to Linda.
_Criminal Nonsupport. At least some of Green's wives signed up for welfare as single mothers, and under the law, any child support received by the father in such a case must be turned over to the state. Prosecutors say Green owes $54,000 in back payments. Any figure over $50,000 is eligible for criminal charges.
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APTV 05-15-01 1345MDT
