Judge says Eckstein lawsuit against county can move forward
Former Butler County Commissioner Jim Eckstein’s lawsuit against the county to recoup legal expenses incurred from a defamation case is moving forward.
Visiting Judge John C. Reed overruled some of the preliminary objections to the lawsuit, which is seeking $144,788.
In the order, which was received by the county prothonotary’s office today, the county is directed to file a direct response to Eckstein’s complaint within 20 days.
County solicitor Mike English previously filed preliminary objections in an attempt to have the case dismissed.
Reed agreed some of the plaintiff’s arguments were invalid, but ruled Eckstein still could pursue reimbursement.
County Commissioner Leslie Osche, board chairman, said the decision to not dismiss the case was disappointing.
Two defamation lawsuits were filed against Eckstein in 2012, his first year in office. The lawsuits — one filed by former county Commissioner Dale Pinkerton and the other by county human resources director Lori Altman and her husband, state Trooper Scott Altman — alleged Eckstein spread a rumor claiming they corruptly traded favors.
The lawsuits were tried simultaneously.
A mistrial was declared in April 2016. Before the case was retried in September 2016, Eckstein accepted offers to discontinue the lawsuits if he paid $3,000 to each set of plaintiffs.
