Harper

I. Background

In March 1998, several kilos of cocaine were found missing from an LAPD evidence locker. The investigation soon focused on Rafael Perez, a police offer who, at that time, was working in Rampart’s elite narcotics and anti-gang 1 The jury also determined that Chief Parks did not act “with malice, fraud, or oppression” toward the accused Officers. 2 The City challenges the award of attorney’s fees under 42 U.S.C. § 1988, but only in the event that we reverse the judgment underlying the fee award. They do not otherwise contest the Officers’ entitlement to fees or the amount of the award. Accordingly, because we affirm the judgment, we affirm the district court’s award for attorney’s fees. 8618 HARPER v. CITY OF LOS ANGELES C.R.A.S.H. (Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums) unit. Perez was arrested and charged with the theft, but the jury ultimately deadlocked 8-4 in favor of conviction. In lieu of a retrial, Perez entered into a confidential plea agreement with the prosecution, wherein he agreed to identify other police officers involved in crimes or misconduct in exchange for a reduced sentence on the drug charges and immunity from further…