Out-of-county judge holds hearing on Eckstein lawsuit
The first court hearing has been held for former Butler County Commissioner Jim Eckstein’s lawsuit against the county to recoup legal expenses from a defamation case.
Judge John C. Reed, a retired Mercer County judge, heard arguments Thursday from county solicitor Mike English to dismiss the case based on the situation not meeting the criteria for the county being liable for Eckstein’s legal expenses.
Attorney Larry Rodgers, who is representing Eckstein, argued the opposite, saying his client was acting in his scope as an elected official when making any comments discussed in the defamation case.
Reed said he would rule on the preliminary objections filed by English as soon as possible.
Eckstein is suing the county to be reimbursed $144,788 he incurred defending himself against two defamation lawsuits filed in 2012.
The three current commissioners — Leslie Osche, Kim Geyer and Kevin Boozel — also are named as defendants.
Former county Commissioner Dale Pinkerton filed one civil complaint against Eckstein. County human resources director Lori Altman and her husband, state Trooper Scott Altman, filed the second.
The lawsuits were tried simultaneously. After two weeks of testimony and argument, a mistrial was declared in April 2016.
Before the case was retried, Eckstein accepted offers to discontinue the lawsuits if he paid each set of plaintiffs $3,000.
Reed is presiding over the case due to all six Butler judges recusing themselves.
