Tom Gaillard and William Watts obtain summary judgment for police officer and municipality on claims of liability for conspiracy and extortion

On March 29, 2022, Tom Gaillard and William Watts obtained summary judgment for the City of Robertsdale, Ala. and one of its police officers in an action seeking to hold the City and its officer liable for their efforts in the recovery of a stolen RV that had been sold to the plaintiff by a third party. The plaintiff alleged that the officer attempted to “extort” him during the officer’s efforts to recover the trailer as stolen property. Gaillard and Watts argued that no such cause of action exists under Alabama law and that the officer and the City had immunity from such claims in any event. The trial court agreed and granted summary judgment in favor of the City and the officer.