Attorney general-elect John Swallow appoints 2 to administration

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Attorney General-elect John Swallow has announced two appointments to his administration.

Kirk Torgensen, one of two deputy attorneys general under outgoing Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, will become the lone chief deputy attorney general. Former Utah National Guard adjutant Gen. Brian Tarbet will serve as general counsel for the attorney general's office.

Torgensen has overseen the office's criminal divisions, as well as child protection, child support and commercial enforcement divisions, since he was appointed by Shurtleff in 2001.

In 2000, Tarbet began commanding 7,500 soldiers for the Utah National Guard until he retired as adjutant general in September. He has 20 years of legal service and was once the division chief for the Utah Attorney General's Tax Division.

In November, Swallow was elected to be the next Utah attorney general. He was appointed in 2009 to be the chief deputy attorney general over the civil divisions and all litigation involving the state. He will be sworn into office on Jan. 7.