Williams v. Brantley
Plaintiff Robert Williams sued defendant Hugh Brantley in state court for malicious prosecution and false arrest after criminal harassment charges brought by Brantley were dismissed. Brantley, an attorney for federally funded Western New York Rural Legal Services, removed the case to federal court under 28 U.S.C. § 1442(a)(1), claiming he acted under the color of his federal office. Williams moved to remand the case to state court, arguing Brantley lacked a federal immunity defense. The court, citing Willingham v. Morgan, found that Brantley raised a colorable defense of absolute or qualified immunity, distinguishing Ferri v. Ackerman. The federal court held it was the appropriate forum to decide the merits of Brantley's defense, and consequently, Williams' motion to remand was denied.