Dry Cleaner Wins In $54M Pants Case

Judge Rules In Favor Of Company That Was Sued Over A Missing Pair Of Pants

(AP)  A judge ruled Monday in favor of a South Korean dry cleaner who was sued for $54 million over a missing pair of pants in a case that garnered international attention and renewed calls for litigation reform.

The owners of Custom Cleaners did not violate the city's consumer protection act by failing to live up to Roy L. Pearson's expectations of the "Satisfaction Guaranteed" sign that was once placed in the store window, District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Judith Bartnoff ruled.

Bartnoff ordered Pearson to pay the court costs of defendants Soo Chung, Jin Nam Chung and Ki Y. Chung. Those costs came to just over $1,000, according to the Chungs' attorney. A motion to recover the tens of thousands of dollars they spent in attorney fees will be considered later.

Pearson, an administrative law judge, originally sought $67 million from the Chungs after he claimed they lost a pair of trousers from a blue and maroon suit, then later tried to return a pair of charcoal gray pants that he said were not his. He arrived at the amount by adding up years of law violations and almost $2 million in common law claims for fraud.

Pearson later dropped demands for damages related to the pants and focused his claims on signs in the shop, which have since been removed.

The two-day trial earlier this month drew a standing-room-only crowd, including many Korean and international media outlets covering the story.

In issuing her ruling Monday, the judge wrote that Pearson failed to prove that the pants the dry cleaner tried to return were not the pants he brought in for alterations.

"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 judge wrote.

Chris Manning, the Chungs' attorney, praised the ruling.

"Judge Bartnoff has spoken loudly in suggesting that, while consumers should be protected, abusive lawsuits like this will not be tolerated," Manning said in a statement. "Judge Bartnoff has chosen commonsense and reasonableness over irrationality and unbridled venom."

The Chungs have said the trial exacted an enormous financial and emotional toll on them and exposed them to widespread ridicule.

Pearson did not immediately respond to a call and an e-mail seeking comment. Manning said he expected Pearson to appeal.

During the trial, Pearson testified that he wanted only $2 million in damages for himself — for his mental anguish and inconvenience — plus $500,000 in attorney's fees for representing himself. Any additional money that the judge might award would go into a fund "to educate people of their rights under the consumer protection act," he said.

The case garnered international attention and renewed calls for litigation reform.

"This case was giving American justice a black eye around the world, and it was all the more upsetting because it was a judge and lawyer who was bringing the suit," said Paul Rothstein, a Georgetown University law professor.

Rothstein said Monday's ruling "restores one's confidence in the legal system."

[zootallures2]

Get a life!

[opedanderson]

The Chungs have learned the most important lesson about being an American....You are only as good as your lawyer says you are!

[processor2]

I believe a quote, by William Shakespeare, concerning lawyers
is absolutely correct.

...

This should have never gone to trail. What truly amazed me the most was the fact the owners were willing to do for this not to go trail. Pearson, an administrative law judge, should be disbarred for his actions.

[kellyafische]

Two hard working individuals and one all powerful judge...This news report about a law suit of $67 million is a message to the world! All human forms of governments, fail due to human imperfection...sin. "Our Father in the Heavens, let YOUR Kingdom come!"
Yes we need a righteous heavenly Kingdom with Jesus as our King, to right the wrongs of the whole entire world. After thousands of years we have proof, as in this case, that mankind cannot rule themselves. Humans should not rule each other. Greed, Violence, Drunkenness, Homosexuality and so on...all forms of sin as found in the Bible, are found in men. Regardless of their prominence and position. What is needed is the realization that pants only have one value, and that the production of pants is abundant. A person only needs to go to the store and get another and forgive the dry cleaners. Simple solution! Jesus said it!

[snoopy28173]

I call this gross abuse of power. $54 million for a pair of lost pants?!? I think they should send this judge back to law school.

[jscribe58]

This case was a typical example of why some of our laws need to be changed. The spineless jerk who sued got the publicity he was looking for, while the poor couple just trying to make a living got a lot of attention and expense they were not looking for.

In my observation, Korean-Americans are usually quiet, good citizens who work very hard at businesses that nobody else does because of the hours involved. Just the fact that this man was able to put these people through the ordeal is a disgrace.

I know that now this insensitive person might look for me so he can sue for the fact that I said he was spineless while he actually has a spine, but don't woryy, buddy, yours is only plastic. I can only hope that by the time the Chungs finish suing him for damages, he's too poor to buy another pair of pants.

[rushlimpdrug]

Ok, after reading this story I am not satisfied.
Who do I sue?

[blackbug99]

Now the Chungs should sue the pants off this sad excuse for a judge.

[jimibear]

This suit was a travesty. Does anyone know if there is a legal basis upon which a judge can be removed from the bench for making a mockery of the legal system like this? Very clearly, he does not have sufficiently good judgment to do his job; he appears to have some serious mental/emotional problems, actually, as apparently he started crying over the lost pants when giving testimony.

[hwy71so]

We don't need judges like Pearson. How could one expect a fair trial from such as he? Hooray for the Chungs!

[awbsdad]

THANK HEAVENS for JUSTICE! The judge should be reprimanded for such a frivolous case. I wonder what he would have thought if he had been the presiding judge? Probably laughed in his chambers.
Congratulations to the Chungs. Hard working people do not deserve such over a PAIR OF PANTS? Where has our system allowed us to go?

My coffee was hot last night at a coffee shop. Should I sue? What if is was too cold? What if I had to wait in line too long. I am a busy person...my time is valuable. Should I sue over such?

I was raised better.

Thank you mom and dad! for setting straight what is important and what is not.

[ecuadoriana]

YEAH!!! for the Chungs!

Finally a BS lawsuit that got smacked down hard! That should send a message to all the lawsuit happy "Boo hoo Tigger hit me at Disney World" & "McDonalds made me fat" idiots who take no responsibility for their own selves & want everyone else to pay for their existance & stupidity.

This "lost pants" case is an example of "*** Happens". They offered to make good. He should have just accepted that & got over it. Some other dry cleaner may not have accepted responsibility. They did, but others doing the right thing was something Pearson couldn't handle since "doing the right thing" is so far from his own reality he wouldn't know it if it bit him on his pants-less arse!

Pearson should be disbarred & made to walk around pantless wearing a sandwhich board that says "Kick me I'm a greedy moron loser".

[janadale-2009]

Do you know what Lawyer Jokes are so unpopular?

Lawyers don't think they're funny and the rest of us don't think they're jokes.

[shammy0202]

What can you do except laugh at the stupidity of the suers and the judge. I can see them asking for a refund maybe (minus depreciation lol) for the pair of pants but 54 million????? LOL

[ecuadoriana]

YEAH!!! for the Chungs!

Finally a BS lawsuit that got smacked down hard! That should send a message to all the lawsuit happy "Boo hoo Tigger hit me at Disney World" & "McDonalds made me fat" idiots who take no responsibility for their own selves & want everyone else to pay for their existance & stupidity.

This "lost pants" case is an example of "*** Happens". They offered to make good. He should have just accepted that & got over it. Some other dry cleaner may not have accepted responsibility. They did, but others doing the right thing was something Pearson couldn't handle since "doing the right thing" is so far from his own reality he wouldn't know it if it bit him on his pants-less arse!

Pearson should be disbarred & made to walk around pantless wearing a sandwhich board that says "Kick me I'm a greedy moron loser".

[ecuadoriana]

"Ok, after reading this story I am not satisfied.
Who do I sue?" Posted by rushlimpdrug at 11:34 AM : Jun 25, 2007

HAHAHAHHAAA!!!! Excellent post.

Strangely enough, there's probably a lawyer right now reading your post thinking: "I know someone you can sue. Call me."

[mitch0927]

One good thing about this story is all the support for the Chungs, I am glad to see that. From the start of the suit, I knew that judge was going to lose, usually in cases like that, he will have to pay their attorney fees, since he lost.

[russ1985]

OK, where are we getting all these legal nutjobs from nowadays? First we have this Nifong character trying to throw three Duke players under the bus. Now we have this mental midget trying to get 54 million dollars for a pair of freaking pants. Was there a mercury spill in the east coast water supply or is someone passing the hippy lettuce around?

[russ1985]

Can we sue Judge Pearson for wasting all our time? I think we need a class action lawsuit here!

[acauble1]

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Chung:

On behalf of America, I apologize for the greed and stupidity that has run rampant in this country for decades. I understand you came here to 'live the American Dream'. Sadly, that "dream" has become a fantasy for many in this country... mostly due to the greed and stupidity of others. It is unfortunate that you had to spend thousands of dollars of your hard earned (and well deserved) money just to defend yourselves against this corruption of human society. Please forgive the American people, virtually all of us were on your side. As for the greedy *** in this country...

... BURN IN H.E.L.L'S DEEPEST AND HOTTEST FIRE!


Warmest Regards,

[mitch0927]

But they did endure a lot of pain and suffering, so punitive damages should incure.

[slider9499-2009]

these are the exact reasons why tort reform needs to be onerhaulded in this contry. ALL costs that this Korean family incurred should be payed by the plaintiff. Plus, I would sue the pants off of him as well. Too bad he can't be disbarred for bringing such a riduclous and fraudulant case in the first place. Just a total as**ole.

[bluestardad]

HOPE THEY WERE AWARDED ATTORNEY FEES TOO!

[incog-nito]

How did this guy get to be a judge anyway? What a money-grubbing SOB. The fact is that cleaners, or any business or anybody for that matter, do occasionally make mistakes. Losing a pair of pants is not $54 millions' worth of mistakes.

[mitch0927]

acauble1

I second that. Thanks for puting that out. You are a TRUE American for saying that.

[antoniof123]

Wait it will be appealed to the higher courts where the neo cons seem to be held up and it will be reversed.

[mitch0927]

"Plaintiff Roy L. Pearson, Jr. takes nothing from the defendants, and defendants Soo Chung, Jin Nam Chung and Ki Y. Chung are awarded the costs of this action against the plaintiff Roy L. Pearson, Jr.," the ruling read

[heuristic1]

Judge Roy L. Fruitcake has finally been dealt with. What he did amounts to harassment. Why isn%u2019t this man going to jail?

[swtgapch]

Yay (sorta) to the judge who ruled against the other judge. (It would have been better if he threw the case out in the beginning) I ditto acauble 1's apology. This has become a sorry nation. A bunch of lazy, greedy, ignorant people who think the world owes them for being born. Roy Pearson Jr., GET OVER IT! It was only a pair of pants! You are the laughing stock of this nation and for what............

(Makes ya wonder what makes these pants so important. Something left in a pocket perhaps?!? HMMMMMMMMM................)

[ramos937]

Pearson lost much more than his honor and dignity. He will not be reappointed to his $100,000 job; he has to pay all of the Chung's legal costs and he is now unemployable. All of this could have been avoided by his accepting the Chung's original offer in the beginning. I do not think he will appeal.Even if he were to act as his own attorney, I doubt he could afford the filing fee or that the appeals court would hear the case.

[gunownerdan]

Roy Pearson should be jailed for wasting so much time and money.

[michellem99-2009]

That put the whining man in his place.

[vcdb]

The locals can show thier support by taking thier cleaning to them.

[andy19555]

What kind of person is this Judge Pearson. I was digusted when I first read about him suing the cleaners. He should be ashamed of himself. SHAME ON YOU !!!

[ladyephesus1]

This is what GREED gets you!!
He ought to be ashamed of himself trying to sue for millions for a pair of 80.00 pants.

Good for him!!

[dvillegas43-2009]

It's only a matter of time before the parasites being Al Sharpston and Jesse Jackson come to Pearson's defense with claims the judge wrongly ruled against him (Pearson) because he's black.

[imnho]

The lawsuit was absurd. I get the feeling thatthe person who sued has some unresolved problem and decided to take it out on the first person who was available.

I think there should have been a directed verdict of no liability. The defandants should get all court costs and legal fees

[ajaxrose1]

Thank God there's at least one judge in this country that knows a frivolous, freaking lawsuit when SHE sees one. The idiotic, MORONIC
so-called judge that brought the lawsuit, and whoever let it go as far as to make it to a court docket, ought to be charged DOUBLE whatever the court costs were to this dry cleaner. I'm sick and tired of this kind of cr@p in this country and it's about time someone on the bench said so! Good for the sister woman and good for the defendants!

[missut2]

What bothers me most about this fiasco is that this jerk-of-a-judge was even allowed to get this to court. Currently, I am dealing with an insurance company over an accident that happened 4-20-05. Their 16 yr old insured ran a stop sign and hit me broadside...my medical totaled $12,000...their last "offer" was $10,000! And this so-called judge is allowed, by law, to bring this to trial...it's a insult to the courts.

I hope the Chungs sue him for every thing he owns, including his pants! What he did to that family is unforgiveable.

[actornaught]

Did the Chungs get to keep the pants, too?

Should be on ebay soon....

[infidel_us]

I hope the Chungs sue him for every thing he owns, including his pants! What he did to that family is unforgiveable.
Posted by MissUT2 at 01:07 PM : Jun 25, 2007

I agree 100%. But first, disbar him like Nifong.

[nothappyatall]

""This case was giving American justice a black eye around the world, and it was all the more upsetting because it was a judge and lawyer who was bringing the suit," said Paul Rothstein, a Georgetown University law professor. "

This moron who sued should be removed from the bench as a judge, he isn't fit and this suit proves it.
At least one judge has common sense! the dry cleaners should sue for damages.

[ceethomas]

During the trial, Pearson requested a break because he emotionally broke down and was actually crying about his stupid pants. He is obviously mentally unstable and should never sit on any bench. (Racial prejudice is written all over this debacle; Pearson is black and the Chungs are Korean.)

From the top down our judicial system is becoming a joke.

[aerodog]

Pearson is a bona fide idiot and I'm so glad for the Chungs. Finally, something good about our court system.

[cruiso]

What so special about the Judges Pants that was worth 54 million,maybe they had some deep ingrained sentimental value in the crutch of the pants that he was attached too.

[weareone2]

I agree with everyone that the judge ruled fairly. Also, the customer should have to pay for the attorney's fees. I would like to note that in cases where jurors award ridiculously enormous amounts, the amount is usually greatly reduced on appeal, which is usually ignored by the media.
I would expect that when jurors award such amounts, they are affected by their own frustration with big companies, and the feeling that these companies are able to get away with gross injustices, which is true.

[actornaught]

i see mormonman1 puts his IQ on his name...

bye bye

[aerodog]

mormomman1 -
No, what pisses me off is comments like yours - obviously coming from a half-wit - and yes, I'm white. Having to share the planet with @ssholes like you really sucks.

[erasmus6]

Where I live he would have to pay ALL legal fees.