We granted the application of the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles the board for an interlocutory appeal from the trial court’s denial of its motion to dismiss this action against it brought by Finch. Because we conclude that the trial court should have granted the board’s motion, we reverse. The record shows that Randy Lamar Finch was convicted of a felony in 1990 and was sentenced under the First Offender Act, OCGA § § 42-8-60 through 42-8-66. In 1993, Finch’s probation was revoked and he was sentenced to ten years, with five to serve in custody and the remainder on probation. He was released on parole in May 1996. Finch filed this action in July 1998 against his parole officer, Thaddeus Stephens, Stephens’s superiors Carol Deems and Charles Andrews, and the board. He alleged in his complaint that in September 1996, while he was on parole and living in Sumter County, Stephens issued a warrant for his arrest. Finch was released on bond granted by the superior court. After his release, Stephens again arrested him even though bond had been posted and no other outstanding warrant existed. Stephens attempted to incarcerate Finch unsuccessfully in Sumter County and in Columbus, but officials refused to accept Finch. Stephens then drove to Albany, where Finch was accepted at the common jail of Dougherty County. Finch was again released after posting the bond granted by the Superior Court of Sumter County.
Finch also alleged in his complaint that Stephens “intimidated and coerced” a woman into prosecuting unfounded claims of battery and simple battery against Finch. In addition, Finch alleged that Stephens offered an unnamed jail inmate cash and a promise of quick release if the inmate would swear falsely that he overheard Finch trying to arrange for Stephens’s murder. Finch’s parole was revoked in January 1997.
