Jim Eckstein

Former Butler County Commissioner Jim Eckstein, the defendant in a defamation case, testified this morning that he never published a rumor involving former county Commissioner Dale Pinkerton.

Eckstein said in county court that his leaflets, called the Eckstein Report, nor his political signs criticizing Pinkerton stated anything about a rumor involving Pinkerton supporting a 20 percent pay hike to an employee in exchange for being let off the hook for a drunken driving pullover.

Eckstein is accused of spreading a rumor that Pinkerton gave county human resources director Lori Altman an extra 20 percent pay hike in 2011 in return for having an alleged DUI ticket go away.

Altman's husband is state police Trooper Scott Altman.

Pinkerton and the Altmans are suing Eckstein in separate civil complaints that are being tried in court simultaneously.

Investigations found no truth in that allegation.

Eckstein would pass out his leaflets on the streets and at events.

Testimony in his trial continues today.