Opinion ID: 792485
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Audit Costs

Text: 70 Svec also claims that the audit costs were excessive. Of the $10,557.02 in audit costs, Svec claims $3,868.75 should not be paid because it was plaintiff's attorney's negligence in prolonging the litigation that resulted in additional audit costs. Svec presents no evidence that the district court abused its discretion by awarding these costs. Additionally, there was no factual finding by the district court to support Svec's claim that Moriarty should be denied fees or costs because of alleged negligence. The district court correctly found that audit costs were part of the relief due to plaintiff under 29 U.S.C.A. § 1132(g)(2)(E). Because an award of audit costs to the prevailing party is consistent with the policy of encouraging full and fair contributions, we hold that audit costs are recoverable under subsection (E). Operating Engineers Pension Trust v. A-C Co., 859 F.2d 1336, 1343 (9th Cir.1988). We affirm the district court's finding that Svec must pay Moriarty $10,557.02 in audit costs.