The defamation case against Butler County Commissioner Jim Eckstein won’t go to trial anytime soon.

Tom Holman, deputy court administrator, said in an interview the calendar of Judge Kelley Streib, who is hearing the civil case, is full through early next year.

“It’s unlikely this matter would be heard in 2014,” Holman said.

The case still is in the discovery phase.

Eckstein, who is being sued by fellow Commissioner Dale Pinkerton and two other plaintiffs, complained Wednesday the case is stalled in the court process.

“It’s gone nowhere,” Eckstein said during the commissioners meeting.

Eckstein, who is seeking a jury trial, maintains he won’t settle out of court.

“I’m innocent,” Eckstein said. “I want to go to trial.”

Eckstein accused the plaintiffs, who include county human resources director Lori Altman and her husband, state Trooper Scott Altman, of elongating the process to further drain him of money.

Eckstein said he spent $50,000 on his legal defense so far.

The plaintiffs allege Eckstein spread a rumor that Altman received a 20 percent pay raise in 2011 in exchange for Pinkerton being let off the hook for a drunken driving pullover that never occurred.

Pinkerton denies there was a DUI stop or a cover-up.

Investigations by the state attorney general’s office and state police found no evidence of wrongdoing.

Attorneys for either side have the option of requesting a status conference, but court records indicate none have done so.

Eckstein said in an interview that Streib did scheduled a conference at one point, but it never took place.

He also questioned Streib’s qualifications to hear the case, pointing out she never has heard a jury trial before.

Streib referred all questions to Holman.

“Judges are not permitted to make any comment on litigation that is pending before them,” Holman said.

He disputed Eckstein’s claim that an unqualified judge is presiding over the case.

“A judge elected to the bench is deemed qualified to hear any case that is brought before that judge,” Holman said.

Eckstein accused his colleagues being corrupt because the county uses the law firm of attorney Doug Linn, who represents Pinkerton in the defamation case.

“Your actions make me sick,” Eckstein said. “This behavior has no place in our county government.”

County solicitor Mike English said there is no conflict of interest for Linn to represent one commissioner in a civil case against another commissioner while his law firm does work for the county.

“I don’t see a legal issue,” English said.

Eckstein cited $20,000 in county payments to Linn’s firm, the Linn Law Group, for 2014.

English pointed out one of Linn’s associates did that work, which was handling judicial sales.

Pinkerton declined to comment about Eckstein’s accusations due to the pending civil case.

Commissioner Bill McCarrier pointed out the county began using Linn’s law firm before the lawsuit was filed in 2012.

According to county records, the Linn Law Group was hired Jan. 7, 2008, to serve as one of the county’s special counsel when needed.

Eckstein also chided the other commissioners for using an attorney who is charged with drunken driving.

Although he didn’t name the attorney during the meeting, he gave the Butler Eagle paperwork from a case filed against Linn.

Jackson Township police in March charged Linn with driving under the influence and several traffic violations.

That case is pending in county court. Linn could not be reached for comment.

McCarrier said he was unaware of any attorney the county was using who had been charged with drunken driving.