Claude Grow v. Thomas G. Fisher, Individually & in His Capacity as Prosecuting Attorney for the 30th Jud. Circuit of the State of Indiana, 523 F.2d 875 (7th Cir. 1975). · Go Syfert
Claude Grow v. Thomas G. Fisher, Individually & in His Capacity as Prosecuting Attorney for the 30th Jud. Circuit of the State of Indiana, 523 F.2d 875 (7th Cir. 1975). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
85 citation events (17 in the last 25 years) across 33 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Cobb v. Smith (arwd, 2025-08-27) · Strongest negative: Russell v. Town of Mamaroneck (nysd, 1977-11-18)
Treatment trajectory · 1976 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1976 2001 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 48 distinct citers. How cited ↗
cited Cited "but see" Russell v. Town of Mamaroneck
S.D.N.Y. · 1977 · signal: but cf. · confidence high
But cf. Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 877-78 (7th Cir. 1975).
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Cobb v. Smith
W.D. Ark. · 2025 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the mere fact that the individual defendants were complainants and witnesses in an action which itself was prosecuted under color of law does not make their complaining or testifying other than what it was, i.e., the action of private persons not acting under color of law.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Estes v. Tabor
W.D. Ark. · 2024 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the mere fact that the individual defendants were complainants and witnesses in an action which itself was prosecuted under color of law does not make their complaining or testifying other than what it was, i.e., the action of private persons not acting under color of law.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Johnson, Devonere v. City of Madison
W.D. Wis. · 2023 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the . . . complainants and witnesses in an action which itself was prosecuted under color of law were still private persons not acting under color of law.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Rogers, Caleb v. Relitz, Scott
W.D. Wis. · 2023 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the . . . complainants and witnesses in an action which itself was prosecuted under color of law were still private persons not acting under color of law.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Smith v. Mathis
W.D. Ark. · 2021 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the mere fact that the individual defendants were complainants and witnesses in an action which itself was prosecuted under color of law does not make their complaining or testifying other than what it was, i.e., the action of private persons not acting under color of law.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Wilson v. McLarty Daniel Dealership, Service Department
W.D. Ark. · 2021 · signal: see, e.g. · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the mere fact that the individual defendants were complainants and witnesses in an action which itself was prosecuted under color of law does not make their complaining or testifying other than what it was, /.e., the action of private persons not acting under color of law.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Klingensmith v. Cruz
W.D. Ark. · 2020 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the mere fact that the individual defendants were complainants and witnesses in an action which itself was prosecuted under color of law does not make their complaining or testifying other than what it was, i.e., the action of private persons not acting under color of law.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Miles v. Arkansas, State of
W.D. Ark. · 2018 · signal: see, e.g. · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the mere fact that the individual defendants were complainants and witnesses in an action which itself was prosecuted under color of law does not make their complaining or testifying other that what it was, i.e., the action of private persons not acting under color of law.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Thom v. Balgeman
E.D. Wis. · 2025 · confidence medium
Thom lacks a plausible claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 because none of the remaining defendants were acting “under color of state law.” Cf. Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 877 (7th Cir. 1975) (holding that a § 1983 conspiracy claim cannot rely on allegations against an immune co-coconspirator to meet the state action requirement); Jeremy v. Quasius, No. 25-CV-1149, 2025 U.S. Dist.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Julien v. Kaplan City Police
W.D. La. · 2023 · confidence medium
It is well settled that “[a] private individual complainant in a criminal prosecution does not act under color of law.” Pleasant, 1994 WL 261217 at *1 (citing Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 879 (7th Cir. 1975)); see also Melton v. Dermota, 1991 WL 147490 at *7 (4th Cir. Aug. 6, 1991); Daniel v. Ferguson, 839 F.2d 1124, 1130 (5th Cir. 1988); Schwertz v. Millon, 2009 WL 4757381 at *2 (E.D.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ownbey v. Gotschall
C.D. Ill. · 2023 · confidence medium
See Ealy v. Griffin, 803 Fed.Appx. 41 , 42 (7th Cir. 2020)(trial witnesses “were not state actors subject to liability under § 1983.”): Hughes v. Meyer, 880 F.2d 967, 972 (7th Cir.1989) (private party does not become a state actor by calling on the law for assistance); Grow 1 JUDICI, Cass County, https://www.judici.com/courts/cases, (last visited April 5, 2023) v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 879 (7th Cir. 1975)(a private citizen does not become a state actor simply by reporting a crime which police reply on to make an arrest).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Mills v. Brown
D.R.I. · 2005 · confidence medium
See Auster Oil & Gas, Inc. v. Stream, 764 F.2d 381, 388 (5th Cir.1985)(“[A] private party does not act under color of state law when she merely elicits but does not join in an exercise of official ■ state authority.”); Tarkowski v. Robert Bartlett Realty Co., 644 F.2d 1204,1208 (7th Cir.1980)(“A private person does not conspire with a state official merely by invoking an exercise of the state official’s authority.”); Serbalik v. Gray, 27 F.Supp.2d 127, 132 (N.D.N.Y.1998)(holding that neighbors who filed complaint with Town regarding plaintiffs alleged failed septic system and who l…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Garrett v. Fisher Titus Hospital
N.D. Ohio · 2004 · confidence medium
Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 879 (7th Cir.1975) (citations omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Spetalieri v. Kavanaugh
N.D.N.Y. · 1998 · confidence medium
That Clarke brought the tape to the District Attorney’s Office and the KPD is insufficient to constitute state action for purposes of § 1983. “[A] private party does not *103 act under color of state law when she merely elicits but does not join in an exercise of official state authority.” Auster Oil & Gas, Inc. v. Stream, 764 F.2d 381, 388 (5th Cir.1985), ce rt. denied, 486 U.S. 1027 , 108 S.Ct. 2007 , 100 L.Ed.2d 237 (1988); see also Tarkowski v. Robert Bartlett Realty Co., 644 F.2d 1204, 1208 (7th Cir.1980) (“A private person does not conspire with a state official merely by invoki…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Serbalik v. Gray
N.D.N.Y. · 1998 · confidence medium
Similarly, “ ‘[t]he execution by a private party of a sworn complaint, which forms the basis for an arrest, is, without more, not sufficient to make that party’s acts state action.’ ” Daniel v. Ferguson, 839 F.2d 1124, 1130 (5th Cir.1988) (quoting Sims v. Jefferson Downs Racing Association, 778 F.2d 1068, 1078-79 (5th Cir.1985)); see also Dunton v. County of Suffolk, 729 F.2d 903, 910 (2d Cir.1984) (federal claims against the criminal complainant were “patently meritless and insubstantial.”); Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 879 (7th Cir.1975) (private person’s filing of a crimina…
cited Cited as authority (rule) MacK v. Butler
N.D. Ill. · 1990 · confidence medium
See Johnson v. Miller, 680 F.2d 39, 40-41 (7th Cir.1982); Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 879 (7th Cir.1975).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Khadijah v. Conrail Rail Road
N.D. Ill. · 1989 · confidence medium
That concept does not embrace a private party who acts as complainant in a criminal prosecution (Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 879 (7th Cir.1975)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Summers v. Sjogren
D. Utah · 1987 · confidence medium
Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 877 (7th Cir.1975).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Holdeman v. Consolidated Rail Corp.
N.D. Ind. · 1986 · confidence medium
Briscoe v. Lahue, supra; Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 879 (7th Cir.1975).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Charles Ollis v. Henry Wood, Knox County, Tennessee, Pamela Self, Susan Arwood, David Rutherford and Martha Rutherford
6th Cir. · 1986 · confidence medium
He did not allege that Wood, Self or Arwood counseled or encouraged the Rutherfords to lie, or that the parties agreed to withhold information from the magistrate. 18 The mere fact that the individual defendants were complainants and witnesses in action which itself was prosecuted under color of law does not make their complaining or testifying other than what it was, i.e., the action of private persons not acting under color of law. 19 Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 879 (7th Cir.1975).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Diulus v. Churchill Valley Country Club
W.D. Pa. · 1985 · confidence medium
Giant Supermarkets, Inc., 673 F.2d 771, 772 (5th Cir.1982); Taylor v. Nichols, 558 F.2d 561, 564 (10th Cir.1977); Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 879 (7th Cir.1975); Anderson v. Glismann, 577 F.Supp. 1506 (D.Colo.1984); Lomax v. Davis, 571 F.Supp. 805, 807 (N.D.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Woodall v. Partilla
N.D. Ill. · 1984 · confidence medium
Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 879 (7th Cir.1975).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Lomax v. Davis
N.D. Miss. · 1983 · confidence medium
Giant Supermarkets, Inc., 673 F.2d 771, 772 (5th Cir.1982) (police officer’s reliance upon information provided by citizens who witnessed shoplifting does not convert informants into state actors for purposes of state action); Taylor v. Nichols, 558 F.2d 561, 564 (10th Cir.1977) (private person who initiates criminal assault prosecution not acting under color of state law); Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 879 (7th Cir.1975) (private persons who were complainants and witnesses in criminal action not acting under color of law); Davis v. Carson Pirie Scott & Co., 530 F.Supp. 799, 801-02 (N.D.Ill.…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Kurzawa v. Mueller
E.D. Mich. · 1982 · confidence medium
Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 878-79 (7th Cir. 1975); Sparkman v. McFarlin, 601 F.2d 261 (7th Cir. 1979); Glaros v. Perse, 628 F.2d 679, 684-85 (1st Cir. 1980).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Kaufman v. Board of Trustees, Community College District No. 508
N.D. Ill. · 1981 · confidence medium
Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 879 (7th Cir. 1975); Carlisle v. Bensinger, 355 F.Supp. 1359, 1362 (N.D.Ill.1973).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Weisman v. Sherry
M.D. Penn. · 1981 · confidence medium
Howard v. Lemmons, 547 F.2d 290 (5th Cir. 1977); Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 879 (7th Cir. 1975); Sykes v. State of California (Department of Motor Vehicles) 497 F.2d 197 , 202 n.3 (9th Cir. 1974); Barnes v. Dorsey, 480 F.2d 1057, 1061 (8th Cir. 1973).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Gorman Towers, Inc. v. Bogoslavsky
8th Cir. · 1980 · confidence medium
See, e.g., White v. Bloom supra, at 281; Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 878-79 (7th Cir. 1975).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Gorman Towers, Inc. v. Bogoslavsky
8th Cir. · 1980 · confidence medium
See, e.g., White v. Bloom supra, at 281; Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 878-79 (7th Cir. 1975).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) District 28, United Mine Workers of America, Inc. v. Wellmore Coal Corporation
4th Cir. · 1979 · confidence medium
See, e. g., Louisville Area Inter-Faith Committee v. Nottingham Liquors, 542 F.2d 652, 655 (6th Cir. 1976) (initiation of state court proceedings to enjoin picketing not state action); Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 877-79 (7th Cir. 1975) (affirmed dismissal of complaint because no allegation that private defendant conspired with state officials in prior criminal actions); Hansen v. Ahlgrimm, 520 F.2d 768, 770-71 (7th Cir. 1975) (no cause of action against lawyer who represented opposing party in prior state contempt proceedings); Glasspoole v. Albertson, 491 F.2d 1090, 1091-92 (8th Cir. 1974);…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Philip D. Myers v. Clyde Harold Bull
8th Cir. · 1979 · confidence medium
See Blevins v. Ford, 572 F.2d 1336, 1338 (9th Cir. 1978); Taylor v. Nichols, 558 F.2d 561, 564 (10th Cir. 1977); Bennett v. Passic, 545 F.2d 1260, 1263-64 (10th Cir. 1976) (police officers); Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 879 (7th Cir. 1975); Smith v. Sinclair, 424 F.Supp. 1108, 1113 (W.D.Okl. 1976) (police officers); Stambler v. Dillon, 302 F.Supp. 1250, 1255 (S.D.N.Y.1969). 5 *866 2.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Sparkman v. McFarlin (2×) also: Cited "see"
7th Cir. · 1979 · confidence medium
Finally in Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 879 (7th Cir. 1975), we said: In sum, we conclude that entirely apart from Fisher’s immunity, the simple con-clusionary allegation that various private torts were committed “in concert” with a state official was not sufficient to cause the private tort-feasors to be acting under color of state law, nor was there any showing that the individuals violated any constitutional rights of the plaintiff.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Sparkman v. Mcfarlin (2×)
7th Cir. · 1979 · confidence medium
At most, the complaint does no more than " 'merely state vague and conclusionary allegations respecting the existence of a conspiracy' without showing any 'overt acts which defendants engaged in which were reasonably related to the promotion of the claimed conspiracy.' " (Citing the Dieu case, Supra.) 39 Id. at 770. 40 Finally in Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 879 (7th Cir. 1975), we said: 41 In sum, we conclude that entirely apart from Fisher's immunity, the simple conclusionary allegation that various private torts were committed "in concert" with a state official was not sufficient to cause …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Zed Daniels v. Richard L. Kieser
7th Cir. · 1978 · confidence medium
Heidelberg v. Hammer, 577 F.2d 429 (7th Cir. 1978); Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 877 (7th Cir. 1975); Tyler v. Witkowski, 511 F.2d 449 (7th Cir. 1975); Littleton v. Berbling, 468 F.2d 389 (7th Cir. 1972), reversed in part on other grounds, 414 U.S. 488 , 94 S.Ct. 669 , 38 L.Ed.2d 674 ; French v. Corrigan, 432 F.2d 1211, 1214 (7th Cir. 1970), cert, denied, 401 U.S. 915 , 91 S.Ct. 890 , 27 L.Ed.2d 814 ; 7 Cawley v. Warren, 216 F.2d 74 (7th Cir. 1954).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Staelens v. Yake
N.D. Ill. · 1977 · confidence medium
We are aware of the Seventh Circuit’s opinion in Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 878 (7th Cir. 1975), which questioned the rationale behind “a rule which would appear to carry over governmental immunity to private individuals.” Nonetheless, the Seventh Circuit has not reversed its decision in Hansen v. Ahlgrimm and we are accordingly bound by it. 3 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) John W. Timson v. Craig Wright, Judge, Court of Common Pleas of Franklin County
6th Cir. · 1976 · confidence medium
Likewise so accepting the allegations and construing them, judicial, or quasi-judicial, immunity shields Wright, see, e. g., Littleton v. Fisher, 530 F.2d 691 (6th Cir., filed February 13, 1976), and the cases cited therein, Romanoff, see, e. g., Imbler v. Pachtman, - U.S. ——, 96 S.Ct. 984 , 47 L.Ed.2d 128 (1976), Peek v. Mitchell, 419 F.2d 575, 578-79 (6th Cir. 1970) (dictum), Puett v. City of Detroit, 323 F.2d 591 (6th Cir. 1963), cert. denied, 376 U.S. 957 , 84 S.Ct. 978 , 11 L.Ed.2d 975 (1964), Fine v. City of New York, 529 F.2d 70 (2d Cir. 1975), Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 877 (7th…
cited Cited "see" Quasius v. Dewane
E.D. Wis. · 2025 · signal: see · confidence high
See Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 877 (7th Cir. 1975); see also Reynolds v. Jamison, 488 F.3d 756, 764 (7th Cir. 2007).
discussed Cited "see" 3137, LLC v. Town of Harwich
1st Cir. · 2025 · signal: see · confidence high
See Glaros v. Perse, 628 F.2d 679, 685 (1st Cir. 1980) ("[G]eneral allegations of cooperation between private individuals and unspecified government agencies do not . . . make out a claim of action taken under color of state law." (citing Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 878-79 (7th Cir. 1975))). - 12 - Here, Ember and The Port failed to allege facts that O'Neill and Sluis exercised powers traditionally reserved to the State.
cited Cited "see" Roger Harrison v. Paul v. Rahaley Charles Bardon
6th Cir. · 1986 · signal: see · confidence high
See Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 879 (7th Cir. 1975).
discussed Cited "see" Steve Rodgers v. Lincoln Towing Service, Inc.
7th Cir. · 1985 · signal: see · confidence high
See Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 878-879 (7th Cir.1975) (complaint alleging only that private individuals acted “in concert” with state prosecutor without any supporting facts insufficient to state claim under Section 1983).
cited Cited "see" Briscoe v. Lahue
7th Cir. · 1981 · signal: see · confidence high
See Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 879 (7th Cir. 1975).
cited Cited "see" Alex C. Glaros v. Richard Perse
1st Cir. · 1980 · signal: see · confidence high
See Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 878-79 (7th Cir. 1975).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Lewis R. Daniel v. Wayne Ferguson
5th Cir. · 1988 · signal: see also · confidence medium
Sims v. Jefferson Downs Racing Association, 778 F.2d 1068, 1078-79 (5th Cir.1985); see also Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 879 (7th Cir.1975) (simply filing complaint is an action of a private person not under color of state law). 15 .
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Rodgers v. Lincoln Towing Service, Inc.
N.D. Ill. · 1984 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875, 879 (7th Cir.1975) (“The mere fact that the individual defendants were complainants and witnesses in action which itself was prosecuted under color of law does not make their complaining or testifying other than what it was, i.e., the action of private persons not acting under color of law.”); Benavidez v. Gunnell, 722 F.2d 615, 618 (10th Cir.1983) (“We know of no case in which the report of a state crime is action under color of state law under § 1983.”); Taylor v. Nichols, 558 F.2d 561, 564 (10th Cir.1977) (“The acts of filing a claim and t…
cited Cited "see, e.g." Gary v. Spires
D.S.C. · 1979 · signal: see also · confidence low
Y.1968); Shakespeare v. Wilson, 40 F.R.D. 500 (S.D.Cal.1966); see also Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875 (7th Cir. 1975).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Boe v. Colello
S.D.N.Y. · 1977 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence low
See, e. g., Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875 (7th Cir. 1975); Mularkey v. Borglum, 323 F.Supp. 1218 (S.D.N.Y.1970) (private party defendants not acting “in concert” with officials because of complaint filed concerning plaintiffs actions). 13 . 401 U.S. 37 , 91 S.ct. 746, 27 L.Ed.2d 669 (1971). 14 .
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Dennis v. Hein
D.S.C. · 1976 · signal: see also · confidence low
Hansen v. Ahlgrimm, 520 F.2d 768 (7th Cir. 1975); Sykes v. California Dept. of Motor Vehicles, 497 F.2d 197 (9th Cir. 1974); Hill v. McClellan, 490 F.2d 859 (5th Cir. 1974); Guedry v. Ford, 531 F.2d 660 (5th Cir. 1970); Haldane v. Chagnon, 345 F.2d 601 (9th Cir. 1965); Stambler v. Dillon, 302 F.Supp. 1250 (S.D.N.Y.1969); Jemzura v. Belden, 281 F.Supp. 200 (N.D.N.Y.1968); Shakespeare v. Wilson, 40 F.R.D. 500 (S.D.Calif.1966); see also Grow v. Fisher, 523 F.2d 875 (7th Cir. 1975).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Claude GROW, Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
Thomas G. FISHER, Individually and in His Capacity as Prosecuting Attorney for the 30th Judicial Circuit of the State of Indiana, Et Al., Defendants-Appellees
74-1741.
Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Oct 9, 1975.
523 F.2d 875
Brent A. Barnhart, Bloomington, Ind., for plaintiff-appellant., Margaret C. Attridge, James V. Donadio, Indianapolis, Ind., Michael J. Staple-ton, Joseph T. Bumbleburg, Larry R. Fisher, Lafayette,' Ind., for defendantsappellees.
Swygert, Pell, Stevens.
Cited by 74 opinions  |  Published
PELL, Circuit Judge.

This is an appeal from the dismissal of plaintiff’s complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. Plaintiff’s complaint, allegedly brought pursuant to the provisions of 42 U.S.C. § 1983 with jurisdiction based on 28 U.S.C. § 1343, sought damages from Thomas Fisher, who at all pertinent times was prosecuting attorney for the 30th Judicial District of the State of Indiana, and from five other defendants, all of whom are private citizens. In a thorough and well-reasoned, unreported memorandum opinion, the district court dismissed the complaint against Fisher on the ground of prosecutorial immunity and against the private citizens on the basis that their actions were not under color of state law and that the complaint did not otherwise allege'facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action under the Civil Rights Act.

The complaint charges that in 1967 defendant “Amy J. Blanche signed a criminal affidavit charging plaintiff Claude Grow with having unlawfully assaulted and battered with intent to gratify sexual desires said Amy Blanche’s daughter, defendant Linda K. Blanche (McElfresh), then sixteen (16) years of age.” The affidavit, according to the complaint, was approved by Fisher, and Grow was arrested, charged, and tried. At the trial Amy Blanche, Linda Blanche, Paula Eaton (Webb), and Lee Blanche testified. Grow was found not guilty. Plaintiff alleges that the charges

“were patently false and were not substantiated with facts sufficient to warrant a finding of probable cause. The actions of the defendant Thomas G-Fisher in proceeding with the criminal complaint on such charge was a blatant abuse of the discretion with which he is clothed as Prosecuting Attorney for the State of Indiana, and was motivated by malice against plaintiff, seeking to humiliate and defame plaintiff in the community where both plaintiff and defendants reside.”

The complaint further alleges that since the trial Lee Blanche assaulted plaintiff with a blackjack, that plaintiff swore out a criminal affidavit, and that though Fisher’s office approved the complaint and had Blanche arrested, no action was taken to bring Blanche to trial. Also, other assault attempts by Lee Blanche are alleged as well as a threat by Fred Eaton to kill plaintiff and harassing telephone calls by Amy Blanche.

The complaint alleges that these actions by Fisher and the other defendants[*877] in concert with him have denied plaintiff various constitutional and legal rights and have resulted in the damages for which he prays.

I. Prosecutorial Immunity

The law of this circuit is clear: a state prosecutor has quasi-judicial immunity even where malice is alleged so long as he is acting within the scope of his prosecutorial discretion. Littleton v. Berbling, 468 F.2d 389 (7th Cir. 1972), cert. denied in part, 414 U.S. 1143, 94 S.Ct. 894, 39 L.Ed.2d 97 (1974) rev’d in part on other grounds, 414 U.S. 488, 94 S.Ct. 669, 38 L.Ed.2d 674, 414 U.S. 514, 94 S.Ct. 685, 38 L.Ed.2d 694; French v. Corrigan, 432 F.2d 1211 (7th Cir. 1970), cert. denied, 401 U.S. 915, 91 S.Ct. 890, 27 L.Ed.2d 814 (1971); Hampton v. City of Chicago, 484 F.2d 602, 606-09 (7th Cir. 1973). [1] Plaintiff concedes that Fisher was acting within his prosecutorial discretion in deciding whether or not to prosecute and that if the generally accepted rule stands, his recovery is barred. He nevertheless in effect argues that a better balance could be struck between the rights of individuals and the interests of the public by limiting prosecutors to the good faith defense afforded to police officers for purposes of § 1983, i. e., a qualified privilege. See Tritsis v. Backer, 501 F.2d 1021 (7th Cir. 1974); Brubaker v. King, 7 Cir., 505 F.2d 534 (1974).

This court considered a similar argument in Littleton. It stated: “In essence, it seems that prosecutors are closer to the judge in Pierson [v. Ray, 386 U.S. 547, 87 S.Ct. 1213, 18 L.Ed.2d 288 (1967)] than to the policeman in Monroe v. Pape [365 U.S. 167, 81 S.Ct. 473, 5 L.Ed.2d 492 (1961)].” 468 F.2d 409-10. Being of the opinion that the rationale of the generally accepted rule, as stated in the cases, continues to have controlling validifying effect, we have not been persuaded to repudiate or dilute the rule. The dismissal of plaintiff’s complaint against Fisher was proper.

II. Private Defendants

An action is not within the scope of § 1983 unless that action is under color of state law. Nevertheless, when private persons engage in prohibited conduct with nonimmune state officials, they are acting under color of state law for purposes of § 1983. United States v. Price, 383 U.S. 787, 794, 86 S.Ct. 1152, 16 L.Ed.2d 267 (1966). According to plaintiff, the private defendants were acting under color of state law because they were acting “in concert” with Fisher, a state official.

It has been stated by several courts that an allegation that private persons have conspired with an immune state official is insufficient to fulfill the color of state law requirement of § 1983. In Hansen v. Ahlgrimm, 520 F.2d 768 (7th Cir. 1975), this court recently stated:

“[I]t has been frequently stated that allegations of conspiracy between private persons and public officials who are themselves immune from liability under the facts alleged are insufficient to establish liability of the private persons under color of state law for purposes of the Civil Rights Act. Brown v. Dunne, 409 F.2d 341, 343-44 (7th Cir. 1969); Sykes v. State of California Dept. of Motor Vehicles, 497 F.2d 197, 202 (9th Cir. 1974); Hill v. McClellan,

490 F.2d 859, 860 (5th Cir. 1974); Haldane v. Chagnon, 345 F.2d 601, 604-05 (9th Cir. 1965).” at 770.

Notwithstanding this and other similar authority, plaintiff argues that the rule is illogical and that it has been adopted by the various courts without analysis. He cites no cases which reach a contrary result.

The district court in its memorandum opinion cited another similar case, Gued ry v. Ford, 431 F.2d 660 (5th Cir. 1970), a Civil Rights Act suit under § 1983 which was brought against a judge, an assistant district attorney, and a private defendant. The case, as does the present one, involved alleged damages to the[*878] plaintiff arising out of the prosecution of a criminal complaint. The Fifth Circuit held that the private person who was alleged to have conspired with the state officials could not be held liable under the Civil Rights Act.

The district court pointed out that this circuit had not decided the question at the time of the decision below. Cf. Brown, supra. The court, although recognizing the authority elsewhere, found it unnecessary to adopt specifically the Guedry formulation but upon analysis of the allegations found that the general, conclusory allegations unsupported by facts should be rejected as insufficient to constitute a cause of action under the Civil Rights Act. Although this court now has recognized the Guedry formulation in Hansen, we find somewhat disturbing the lack of any rationale for a rule which would appear to carry over governmental immunity to private individuals. The trend of recent judicial decisions has been in the direction of limiting the scope of immunity rather than enlarging it as would be here involved.

We are not unmindful that a policy rationale could be advanced for extending quasi-immunity to persons who bring to the attention of immune prosecuting officials alleged criminal activity which is followed by prosecution. For example, as was argued by the appellees, a private person who is the victim of. a crime or a witness to a crime should not be discouraged from reporting that crime to proper authorities or from following the advice of a prosecuting attorney as to whether or not to sign an affidavit against the perpetrator of a crime. Our society appears to have a bias against “getting involved.” We cannot ignore widely-publicized and shocking incidents in which persons observing the perpetration of a crime failed to take any action whatsoever.

Nevertheless, even though we, as the district court did not, have Hansen, we decline to base the decision in this case upon the basis of some type of immunity. We agree, however, with the district court that the complaint is deficient in other respects.

As an initial matter, we note that the only nexus between the independent acts charged against the private defendants and those of which the prosecuting attorney allegedly was guilty is contained in the words “in concert.” While this phrase may be construed to mean “agreed on” or “mutually contrived or planned,” Stone v. Wingo, 416 F.2d 857, 860 (6th Cir. 1960), it has also been held that when a claim that an agreement violated anti-trust statutes was dependent upon such an allegation, there was a lack of sufficient specificity:

“It [concerted] is a word which unquestionably is often used in a sense implying agreement. But it is also used to describe similar action by different persons with the same object in view, not proceeding from agreement between them. An unorganized mob may be said to make a ‘concerted’ attack. If the indictment as a whole were obviously based on the assumption of an agreement to which the defendants were parties, it might be that the language used would be sufficient; but that is not this case. There is no allegation or direct suggestion that the defendants acted under agreement with each other. The absence of such an averment is apparently not due to inadvertence; it seems to be studiously avoided. The indictment appears to have been drawn on the theory that agreement was not essential. Its language and tenor are not such that the averment of one can be found by implication — certainly not with such clearness and definiteness as the defendants are plainly entitled to upon such an important allegation.” United States v. Piowaty & Sons, 251 F. 375, 378 (D.Mass.1917).

In Hansen, supra, the court had an “in concert” allegation and questioned whether the allegations were sufficiently specific to constitute a claim for conspiracy for the purpose of § 1983. However, even if we were to assume, as did this court in Hansen, that the “in concert”[*879] allegation was sufficiently specific to support a claim of conspiracy, there still must be some basis more than mere conclusionary allegations that there was an agreement under color of state law to violate the plaintiff’s constitutional rights, privileges, or immunities.

While some of the acts charged against the individual defendants would be tortious in nature, none is sufficient to show that they were done under color of law or that any of plaintiff’s constitutional rights were violated thereby. The only action of any of the defendants which was under color of law was with relation to the prosecutions. There is no allegation to support a basis for a claim that the individual defendants had any control over the prosecution of the case against Grow or the failure to prosecute the action in which he was a complainant. That control was vested by law in the prosecuting official. The mere fact that the individual defendants were complainants and witnesses in action which itself was prosecuted under color of law does not make their complaining or testifying other than what it was, i. e., the action of private persons not acting under color of law. See Spires v. Bottorff, 223 F.Supp. 441, 451 (S.D.Ind.1963), aff’d, 332 F.2d 179 (7th Cir. 1964), cert. denied, 379 U.S. 938, 85 S.Ct. 343, 13 L.Ed.2d 349. See also, Stambler v. Dillon, 302 F.Supp. 1250, 1255 (S.D.N.Y.1969); Pritt v. Johnson, 264 F.Supp. 167, 170 (M.D.Pa.1967).

We may assume, and there are no allegations to the contrary, that the plaintiff in the action brought against him did receive a fair trial. He was' acquitted. There is no allegation that the prosecutor knowingly used perjured testimony. Plaintiff fails to allege specifically as to why there was no reasonable basis for proceeding to trial on the criminal action.

In the words of the district court, with which we agree:

“He merely concludes that the prosecuting attorney had no probable cause to proceed to trial despite the fact that there were several complaining witnesses. In short, plaintiff does not allege any facts which indicate that the criminal prosecution against him was any different than any other case of criminal prosecution. General conclusory allegations unsupported by facts have consistently been rejected as insufficient to constitute a cause of action under the Civil Rights Act. Hoffman v. Halden, 268 F.2d 280, 294 n. 15 (9th Cir. 1959).”

In sum, we conclude that entirely apart from Fisher’s immunity, the simple conclusionary allegation that various private torts were committed “in concert” with a state official was not sufficient to cause the private tort-feasors to be acting under color of state law, nor was there any showing that the individuals violated any constitutional rights of the plaintiff.

Accordingly the judgment of the district court is affirmed.

Affirmed.

1

. As noted in Littleton, supra at 409, this circuit is not the only one to adopt such a rule but “[i]n fact every circuit which has considered the question seems to have reached the same result.”