Suit says Barton racked up $40 million in debt

PROVO (AP) — Attorney Keith Barton allegedly traded on the success of the family business to rack up $40 million in debt, a lawsuit filed against him contends.

Barton was the public face for Gregory, Barton & Swapp P.C., a family owned firm widely known for its "One Call, That's All" slogan. The firm dissolved earlier this year in a bitter public squabble.

The lawsuit is the second filed against Barton by his sister-in-law Kim Brown, who is trying to recoup $1.2 million in unpaid fees she says Barton owes her advertising agency, Kim Brown & Associates. An earlier lawsuit claiming fraud on Barton's part was partially dismissed in August.

Court documents filed Thursday in 4th District Court allege Barton used the firm's assets to fund a lavish lifestyle, which included construction of a 25,000-square-foot mansion in Alpine.

Josh Ewing, a spokesman for Barton, declined comment on the lawsuit, saying he did not have enough information. Neither Barton nor his attorney Peggy Tomsic could be reached for comment.