Barton cleared in federal fraud case.

The Daily Inter Lake

Charges have been dropped against a former Kalispell man who was indicted by a grand jury on charges of fraud related to securities sales.

Curtis Barton, 48, had pleaded innocent to 12 felonies in federal court in January.

He and David Tacke, 46, had been charged with mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering.

The indictment alleges the men collected about $4 million through the sale of unregistered securities as investments in a business called VenueTech System and its subsidiaries.

Last week, prosecuting Assistant U.S. Attorney Kris McLean asked that charges against Barton be dismissed.

"He is really more victim/witness than criminal," McLean said.

"He decided to cooperate and tell the truth about it."

Charges remain against Tacke.

McLean said he expects Barton to testify against Tacke.