Butler County Commissioner Jim Eckstein at this morning’s commissioners meeting said that county Judge Michael Yeager, not Eckstein, contacted the state attorney general’s office about an alleged cover-up involving fellow Commissioner Dale Pinkerton.

When asked by the Butler Eagle about Eckstein’s comments, Yeager declined to comment, citing the matter was tied to ongoing litigation.

Pinkerton is suing Eckstein for defamation. Pinkerton alleges Eckstein spread a rumor that a drunken driving stop involving Pinkerton was covered up by Butler State Police Trooper Scott Altman in return for Altman’s wife, Lori Altman, receiving a 20 percent pay hike at the end of 2011. She is the county personnel director.

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

The state police’s preliminary investigation cleared Trooper Altman.

The Altmans also are suing Eckstein, who denies defaming anyone.

One of the lawsuits’ allegations is that Eckstein was the person who called the attorney general’s office.