City of Oakland v. McCullough

Opinion

KING, J.

I. Introduction

Vemolia McCullough appeals from a postjudgment order awarding attorney fees and costs in the amount of $100,005.48 incurred in a drug house abatement action by the City of Oakland. (Health & Saf. Code, §§ 11570 et seq.) We hold that the statutory authorization for an award “to the prevailing party” in such actions, of “costs, including the costs of investigation and discovery, and reasonable attorneys’ fees” (Civ. Code, § 3496), includes the salaries and overhead expenses of government attorneys and law enforcement personnel attributable to the investigation and…