A Butte-Silver Bow Health Department employee has denied guilt in an incident in which a co-worker's police report was reportedly passed around the department.

Belinda Fargher pleaded not guilty to obstructing a peace officer in Justice Court Thursday morning.  She is accused of denying having knowledge of a confidential police report distributed to co-workers at the health department.

Her husband and Butte police officer Kent Fargher recently denied being involved in the incident.  He is accused of releasing the report and is charged by the state attorney general's office with official misconduct. 

According to court papers, on June 15 Kent Fargher arrested Twilla Carpenter, an employee of the health department. Police were later informed that a copy of a police report on Carpenter's arrest had been circulated at the health department. In court records, a health department employee states that the report was shown to her by Belinda Fargher.

Belinda Fargher most recently ran for city judge.  A trial is scheduled for February 16.  She is released on her own recognizance.  

(From Nov. 25, 2009)

A Butte-Silver Bow police officer accused of releasing confidential information about the arrest of a health department employee pleaded not guilty to the charge Wednesday morning. 

Officer Kent Fargher entered his plea during his arraignment before District Judge Brad Newman.  He is charged by the state attorney general's office with official misconduct for allegedly releasing a two-page police report he wrote on a June arrest. If convicted he faces up to six months in jail and or a fine of up to $500.

Fargher's wife, Belinda Fargher, an employee of the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department, also faces a charge of obstructing a peace officer stemming from the incident. She is accused of denying having knowledge of a report passed on to co-workers at the health department.

According to court papers, on June 15 Officer Kent Fargher was dispatched to Sagebrush Sam's Bar west of Rocker for a disturbance. During the call, he arrested Twilla Carpenter, an employee of the health department.  

Police were later informed that a copy of a police report on Carpenter's arrest had been circulated at the health department. In court records, a health department employee states that the report was shown to her by Belinda Fargher.

Belinda Fargher most recently ran for city judge.  She is scheduled to appear from her arraignment next Thursday morning before Judge Bob Lee. Kent Fargher is on paid administrative leave.

(From the archives)

A Butte-Silver Bow police officer and his wife who is employed by the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department have been charged after a police report regarding another health department employee's arrest was circulated throughout the department.

Officer Kent Fargher was charged with official misconduct for allegedly distributing a law enforcement case report he wrote for a June 2009 arrest. His wife, Belinda Fargher, faces the charge of obstructing a peace officer for allegedly denying having any knowledge of a police report circulated to co-workers at the health department.

According to papers filed in district court Thursday, Kent Fargher was dispatched to Sagebrush Sam's Bar west of Rocker on June 15 for a disturbance. During the call, he arrested Twilla Carpenter, an employee of the health department. She is also a co-worker of Belinda Fargher. 

Court records state police were later informed that a copy of a two-page police report on Carpenter's arrest had been circulated at the health department the day after she was arrested. A health department employee reportedly said the report was shown to her by Belinda Fargher. 

Court records also indicate the offense is in violation of Montana Code. The incident was investigated by the state Department of Criminal Investigation.

Belinda Fargher was most recently a candidate for the Butte city judge post.

Kent Fargher joined the police force in 1975.