Attorneys for the plaintiffs in the defamation case against former Butler County Commissioner Jim Eckstein said they’ll sue him again following a mistrial being declared.

Al Lindsay, who is representing Lori and Scott Altman, and Doug Linn, who is representing former county Commissioner Dale Pinkerton, both said they still have to talk to their clients, but they assume they are moving forward with new litigation.

Eckstein was accused of spreading a corruption rumor that Pinkerton brokered a deal to give Lori Altman, the county human resources director, an extra 20 percent pay hike in exchange for not being charged for a drunken driving stop.

Scott Altman, Lori Altman’s husband, is a state police trooper.

Timothy Wojton, Eckstein’s attorney, said he knows the legal battle is not over.

Attorneys for the defendant and the plaintiffs all expressed disappointment in the case resulting in a mistrial.