D.C. Judge Roy Pearson Loses $54 Million Pants Lawsuit
Finally! A little justice! When I reported on Judge Roy Pearson several weeks ago suing his dry cleaners for $65 Million there were several people who chimed in on the issue. Well, I’m happy to report that not only did Pearson lose the case, but he’s been ordered to pay all the legal fees of the defendant!
On top of that, his job is now in jeopardy and of course he is now infamous enough that no one is ever going to forget what he’s done.
Here is an excerpt from the Washington Post article by HenràE. Cauvin and Joe Holley
The D.C. Superior Court judge who ruled that an administrative law judge deserved nothing in his $54 million lawsuit against a neighborhood dry cleaner over a pair of lost pants “chose common sense over irrationality,” said the attorney who represented the Chung family, owners of Custom Cleaners.
“Obviously, it’s a great day for the Chungs, and honestly it’s a great day for American justice,” attorney Christopher Manning said at a Monday afternoon press conference outside the Chungs’ store.
Delivering her decision in writing, Judge Judith Bartnoff wrote 23 pages dissecting and dismissing Roy Pearson’s claim that he was defrauded by the Chungs and their “Satisfaction Guaranteed” sign.“A reasonable consumer would not interpret ‘Satisfaction Guaranteed’ to mean that a merchant is required to satisfy a customer’s unreasonable demands or to accede to demands that the merchant has reasonable grounds to dispute,” the ruling said. ” . . . The plaintiff is not entitled to any relief whatsoever.”
It was a pointed rebuke of Pearson’s claim, and came with an order to pay the cleaners’ court costs. But even bigger troubles may loom for Pearson.
Financially, he could soon be on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees incurred by the owners of Customer Cleaners. Attorneys for the Chungs have said they will seek such payments, as well as sanctions against Pearson for bringing the lawsuit. Bartnoff said in her ruling that she would decide those issues after both sides have filed their motions, counter-motions and legal briefs.
Professionally, Pearson could find himself out of his $96,000-a-year job as an administrative law judge for the District government.
All that is certain right now is that he won’t be getting the multi-million dollar payout he demanded when he filed suit in 2005 against Soo Chung and her husband, the owners of Custom Cleaners.Originally, Pearson had asked for $65 million, but by the time the case went to trial two weeks ago, Pearson had lowered his demand to $54 million.
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Why the hell is the lady in the front laughing when the lawyer is speaking seriously for the Chungs?
That’s entirely possible as well. For all those convicted on this man’s abuse of the judicial system that were innocent, I hope they get a new trial. I’m just glad that people were kind enough to donate money to help these hard-working people defend themselves.
The only good thing that could come of this is that and maybe people will attempt to reform the legal system to keep lawsuits like this from going to court. Imagine working hard your whole life to build something and then losing a pair of pants or even having an idiot spill coffee on themselves to have it taken away by a judge like this…… sad….
Lauren
Lauren,
That is a great point that I had not considered.
But on the other side of the equation it is entirely possible that this man’s poor judgment really did mess up a lot of people’s lives that really do need cases challenged or overturned…
John
After listening to Keith and the Girl (www.katg.com), I imagine that all his old rulings in court cases will be challenged after this irrational use of the legal system. Can you imagine people going free over a technicality due to this frivolous lawsuit?
From the Washinton Post. It looks like Judge Pearson will not keep his job. Sounds like his antics went beyond the Chungs.
The Chungs must counter-sue the wack-judge so that wacko will learn his lesson and it will send a message to people out there, that if you sue anybody for b/s you will be responsible for attorney fees etc. I also hope the Chungs prosper over this ordeal with all the free publicity and I hope pearson finds him self in world of crap.
Common sense wins out!
His reputation is surely tarnished. What he did just bring damaged to himself.
I meant that Pearson should have to pay all legal expenses (attorney fees, etc.). He was ordered to pay court costs but the ruling is pending on other legal expenses.
Right, the Chungs should sue his pants off. :)
Now THAT is funny!
He reminds me of Kramer’s lawyer in “Seinfeld”. Total whackjob – and should be counter-sued by the Chungs for all the stress they have endured.
$65,000,000 ought to do it.
Wait… I just said that is what happened! :-) Do you mean when the judge inevitably appeals the verdict?
Let’s hope the judge finds for the Chungs and makes the judge pay their legal expenses.