One of the people who brought an ouster lawsuit against East Ridge Mayor Mike Steele acknowledged today that she never spoke with the city manager about the allegations she was making.

Jackie Fulks, under cross examination by defense attorney Dee Hobbs in Hamilton County Criminal Court, said she had never discussed any of the allegations she was making against Mr. Steele with Eddie Phillips, who was interim city manager of East Ridge at the time.

She testified, however, that she discussed the matter with County Commissioner Curtis Adams, who was East Ridge’s city manager before Mr. Phillips. Mr. Adams pointed in the direction of certain allegations, she said.

In addition, she testified that many allegations she was making came directly from an earlier ouster suit filed against Mr. Steele by former East Ridge attorney Cris Helton. That suit was later dismissed.

Despite about 40 signatures on the ouster petition, only three of the signees were in court today and Tuesday.

Only a handful of witnesses are expected to take the stand this afternoon.

For complete details, see tomorrow’s Times Free Press.