Following investigation, Seth Barker charged with felony theft of more than $79K, official misconduct
By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR
After two decades of service with the Big Sky Fire Department, Seth Barker abruptly left his post on Dec. 6, 2024, in the midst of an investigation into his illicit activity including nearly $80,000 in theft through fraudulent timekeeping and reimbursement requests, resulting in felony and misdemeanor charges, as well as pursuit of paid sex services using his BSFD email, a misdemeanor classified as “official misconduct.”
The five-year deputy chief—a high-ranking role serving beneath BSFD’s fire chief—was placed on administrative leave after department leadership was notified on Oct. 13, 2024 about concerns “regarding travel activities by Deputy Chief Barker while instructing fire training classes nationwide.” While on leave, Barker resigned, according to a press release shared by BSFD on Nov. 10, 2025—six days after Gallatin County prosecutor Dorothy Barlow filed felony charges against Barker, and one day after his misconduct was reported by Belgrade News.
The department emphasized in its Nov. 10 release that BSFD followed proper procedures after discovering Barker’s potential misconduct, hiring a third-party investigator “to conduct a formal workplace investigation” and eventually referring the matter to local law enforcement. BSFD stated its decisions were guided by duty to the Big Sky community and BSFD values.
“While this news is difficult, the Big Sky Fire Department acted swiftly and decisively to uphold our commitment to transparency, accountability, and the public trust,” the release stated. “… The actions described in the charging documents violate the standards and ethics of the fire service and of the organization. Regardless of position or tenure, all members of the Big Sky Fire Department are held to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and accountability. We remain committed to our mission of serving the Big Sky community with honor, compassion, and excellence, and ensure the public that only our best will do.”
Explore Big Sky obtained the affidavit describing the results of an investigation launched Jan. 9, 2025 by Gallatin County Sheriff Detective Robert Sadowski. The following reporting is based on the Nov. 4 court filing.
When BSFD Chief Dustin Tetrault took oath in July 2024, the department conducted a financial audit, which “revealed evidence indicating Assistant Fire Chief Seth Barker had been stealing from BSFD,” the affidavit stated. Barker appeared to be claiming erroneous hours worked, as well as receiving duplicative travel reimbursements from both BSFD and from agencies nationwide hosting Barker to lead training exercises. Furthermore, evidence showed Barker had used his BSFD credit card for non-work-related purchases.
BSFD hired Wipfli LLP to conduct a forensic accounting audit, the results of which were released in late October, 2025.
“Barker used his position of trust and authority as BSFD’s Deputy Chief to conceal his activity of being personally compensated for his expenses and time incurred performing training for various organizations while also charging those expenses on BSFD’s company credit card,” Wipfli’s final report stated. “Additionally, he was being paid for time as if he was working for BSFD while performing the training. Barker was able to misappropriate $21,558.36 related to unauthorized expenses on the Big Sky Fire Department credit card and $57,540.78 in wages.”
In the meantime as Wipfli developed its report, Detective Sadowski gained access to Barker’s BSFD computer and BSFD email account, discovering numerous emails exchanged between the website “TRYST” to inquire about the cost of escorts and other services, all of which included Barker’s image in uniform and BSFD signature.
The affidavit cited an example from April 27, 2023, when Barker sent emails to a pair of inappropriate accounts asking about “Tonight?”
Credit card activity shows he was on official business in Indiana.
The investigation discovered email evidence suggesting “an ongoing relationship for at least several years” with a woman, with evidence suggesting Barker visited her in October 2024 while he was believed to be attending a USFA Summit on Fire Control and Prevention—and still charged his travel expenses to BSFD.
Other troubles arose from Barker’s work attending and facilitating training sessions in the fire prevention industry.
According to BSFD policy, employees will be compensated for costs while attending, or providing training at external education courses. However, employees may not be compensated by outside organizations for services provided at such conferences, nor for travel expenses. Evidence suggests Barker sent invoices and expense reports to outside organizations.
Between Feb. 2, 2023, and Oct. 8, 2024, “Barker paid expenses at least 14 times with his BSFD credit card and was also submitting the receipts to agencies and companies who were sponsoring training or events. The total amount he was reimbursed for BSFD charges is approximately $19,516.90,” the affidavit stated. “… In addition, Barker paid expenses on the BSFD credit card that were not related to BSFD business,” including more than $2,000 in hotel stays deemed unrelated to BSFD business.
“The actions described in the charging documents violate the standards and ethics of the fire service and of the organization. Regardless of position or tenure, all members of the Big Sky Fire Department are held to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and accountability.”
BSFD official statement issued Nov. 10
He also established a company in 2019, Big Sky Training Consultants, using his BSFD computer to conduct business through his personal email account. He was paid by Highline Partners for consulting, and emails revealed documents including invoices, Highline business information, a 1099 form, and a standard operating policies document “that was identical” to SOP policies used by BSFD, according to the affidavit.
During Sadowski’s investigation, Barker postponed a phone call on July 10, 2025, and when Sadowski followed up unsuccessfully on July 22, he learned Barker’s attorney had advised against comment.
Barker did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Explore Big Sky.
His initial hearing is scheduled in Montana’s Eighteenth District Court on Dec. 15 at 8:30 a.m. at the Gallatin County Justice Center.
According to reporting by Belgrade News, Barker’s felony theft charges is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine; his misdemeanor theft charge could result in up to six months in county jail and a $1,500 fine; and his misdemeanor official misconduct could result in up to six months in county jail plus a $500 fine.
