A former judge who lost a 2007 lawsuit seeking $54 million in damages over a lost pair of pants saw his appeal rejected yesterday.Roy L. Pearson [photo at right] sued a Washington D.C. drycleaners in 2005 claiming it did not live up to its promises of "Satisfaction Guaranteed" or "Same Day Service" when it lost pants he had brought in to be altered.
When the owners of the drycleaner refused Pearson's insistence that they buy him a new suit, he sued them for $67 million, - later reducing the suit to $54 million. Pearson argued in part that the drycleaner's satisfaction claims constituted fraud.
Thursday the three appellate judges rejected Pearson's appeal saying he failed to show evidence of fraud and supported the rejection of the lawsuit in 2007. Although the lawsuit has wound through the courts for almost four years and has been rejected twice, Pearson still could bring the case to a nine-judge appellate court or attempt to have the U.S. Supreme Court hear the case.
Since Pearson filed the lawsuit he has lost his job as district court judge after a supervising panel found his suit reflected poorly on the city.
The following statement from Lisa Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), is a response the D.C. Court of Appeals’ rejection of a new trial for Roy Pearson against a Washington, D.C., dry cleaner.
“We hope the rejection of Roy Pearson’s request for a new trial marks the last chapter of this frivolous legal saga over a misplaced pair of pants. Unfortunately for Jin and Soo Chung, this victory is more bitter than sweet. Though they continue to ‘win’ in court, their case has cost them emotionally and financially, resulting in the loss of two of their three dry cleaning locations. Those who say that the Chungs’ victory in this case proves that our civil justice system works are ignoring the facts.”
