By: Associated Press

SIDNEY, Neb. (AP) – The Sidney police chief has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge that he obstructed government operations.

Chief Byron “B.J.” Wilkinson Jr. made his plea Monday. His trial is scheduled to begin July 17.

The allegation against Wilkinson stems from an incident reported in January 2014 by a former girlfriend of city Public Works Director John Hehnke. Concerns later were brought to the attention of the state attorney general’s office regarding the failure of Wilkinson to seek charges against Hehnke.

Earlier this month a special prosecutor charged Hehnke with two misdemeanors: viewing a person in a state of undress and disturbing the peace. On Monday Hehnke pleaded no contest and was convicted of disturbing the peace and fined $300. The other charge was dropped in exchange for Hehnke’s plea.