Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-01955/USCOURTS-caed-2_04-cv-01955-10/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 31:3729 False Claims Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and No. 2:04-cv-01955-MCE-PAN

the STATE OF CALIFORNIA 

ex rel. MIKE STIERLI,

Relator Plaintiff,

v. ORDER

SHASTA SERVICES INC. dba

TIMBERWORKS; and DOES 1 

through 50, inclusive,

Qui Tam Defendants.

----oo0oo----

Defendant Shasta Services Inc. dba Timberworks

(“Timberworks”) as the prevailing party in this litigation, has

filed a Bill of Costs, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1920, in the

amount of $4,902.97. Qui Tam Plaintiff Mike Stierli

(“Plaintiff”) has objected to certain portions of that costs

bill.

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Case 2:04-cv-01955-MCE -PAN Document 97 Filed 05/22/07 Page 1 of 3
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Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(d), the prevailing

party in a lawsuit may recover its costs “unless the court

otherwise directs”. As this language suggests, the ultimate

decision on whether to award costs is a matter within the court’s

discretion. Association of Mexican-American Educators v. State

of Calif., 231 F.3d 572, 591-92 (9th Cir. 2000). If the court

declines to award costs as requested by the prevailing party,

however, it should specify its reasons for doing so. Berkla v.

Corel Corp., 302 F.3d 909, 921 (9th Cir. 2002).

Plaintiff has disputed a total of $3,095.75 in claimed costs

and argues that only $1,807.22 in costs may appropriately be

awarded. The largest disputed item concerns $2,578.85 incurred

for online legal research. Those costs will be disallowed since

the expense of computerized legal research are properly deemed as

a component of the attorney’s fee rather than a reimbursable cost

under the purview of 28 U.S.C. § 1920. See Invessys Inc. v.

McGraw-Hill Cos., Ltd., 369 F.3d 16, 22-23 (1st Cir. 2004). The

Court will also not authorize postage fees of $137.58 and courier

charges of $72.65 for picking up certain documents. Neither mail

nor courier fees can properly be taxed. See El-Fadl v. Central

Bank of Jordan, 163 F.R.D. 389, 390 (D.D.C. 1995).

With respect to the $75.06 claimed for the costs of a color

display board, Timberworks has not demonstrated that that exhibit

was necessarily obtained for use at trial. Such necessity must

be established. Allison v. Bank One-Denver, 289 F.3d 1223, 1249

(10th Cir. 2002).

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The final disputed costs item consists of $231.60 in travel

related costs incurred by Timberworks attorneys George Vogt, Jr.

and Marcus Turner. Although Timberworks does not specify for

what reason these particular costs were incurred, it is well

established that an attorney’s expenses in attending both

depositions and other court proceedings are not recoverable as

costs. Wahl v. Carrier Mfg.. Co., Inc., 511 F.2d 209, 217 (7th

Cir. 1975). 

Given the foregoing, costs are taxed in favor of Timberworks

in the sum of $1,807.22.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 22, 2007

_____________________________

MORRISON C. ENGLAND, JR.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 2:04-cv-01955-MCE -PAN Document 97 Filed 05/22/07 Page 3 of 3