On May 24, 2013, we noted under our “Lowball Watch” category a case in which the City of Beverly Hills took a parcel of land and presented $135,000 as evidence of value. The jury evidently liked the owner’s testimony better, and awarded $3,435,904.
We are now informed that, faced with that verdict, the city has abandoned the taking, and under California law will now have to pay the owner’s reasonable attorneys’ fees and other litigation expenses.