Judge to Rule by End of Next Week in Pants Suit

Neal Augenstein, WTOP Radio

7 a.m. Thursday, June 14

WASHINGTON - As both sides in the $54 million lawsuit await the judge's ruling, the attorney for Custom Cleaning says the Chung family is glad the trial is over, but attorney Chris Manning expects the matter will go to appeal.

"As with any litigation, you never know what the result is. My clients, the Chungs, are extraordinarily happy they got their day in court," Manning says.

"We foresee that Mr. (Roy) Pearson will probably appeal this case, and the Chungs, as a result, are probably going to have to deal with the emotional and financial costs of this legislation for the next, at least, number of months."

In his closing arguments Pearson said the Chung family continued to benefit financially, while not living up to the "Satisfaction Guaranteed" sign posted in their business.

Manning says he's not sure what this civil lawsuit has cost taxpayers.

He says a lot of other cases on the court's docket could have been heard during the two-day trial, "but instead the taxpayers are paying money to hear what is a completely unmeritorious claim."

4:56 p.m. Wednesday, June 13

WASHINGTON - The closing arguments are finished. The judge says she will issue a written ruling by the end of next week.

3:41 p.m. Wednesday, June 13

WASHINGTON - Soo Chung cried on the stand, as she described what this $54 million lawsuit has done for her family. Chung and her husband own Custom Cleaners. Through a translator, Chung told the judge her family has suffered "economically, emotionally, and healthwise." She said Roy Pearson often came to the store, taking pictures in preparation for this civil lawsuit.

As Chung wiped her eyes, Pearson told the judge he had no questions of cross-examination for her.

Closing arguments are under way.

2 p.m. Wednesday, June 13

WASHINGTON - The Defense has started its case. Two customers of Custom Cleaners are testifying that they received good service. When asked what they'd consider reasonable compensation for a lost or damaged article of clothing, both said they'd be happy if they were given the original cost of the garment.

Now, Soo Chung, who owns Custom Cleaners with her husband, has taken the stand. Speaking through a Korean translator, Chung says she and her husband moved to the United States to have a better life. After direct examination, Roy Pearson will have the chance to cross-examine her.

11:49 a.m. Wednesday, June 13

WASHINGTON - Pearson is now on the witness stand. In response to questions by the lawyer representing the family that owned Custom Cleaners, Roy Pearson has testified he was unemployed, owed $12,000 after a recent divorce and was deeply in debt.

11:16 a.m. Wednesday, June 13

WASHINGTON - Pearson finished his case right around 11 a.m. He'll now be cross-examined.

Before finishing, Pearson told the judge he knows the Chung family doesn't have the money he's demanding in his lawsuit. Pearson says described what he'd do with whatever money he's awarded: He told the judge he'd pay himself $500,000 in lawyer's fees, use $2 million in damages for discomfort and mental distress.

And for the other $51.5 million? Pearson told the judge, "After I compensate myself it would be my intention to to take the rest of the money and establish a D.C. Consumer Protection fund for the express purpose of educating consumers."

10:32 a.m. Wednesday, June 13

WASHINGTON - The judge hearing testimony has said she has grave doubts about the notion that "Satisfaction Guaranteed" means a customer can demand any amount.

Superior Court Judge Judith Bartnoff made the comment after Roy Pearson said he rejected several settlement offers from lawyers representing the owners of Custom Cleaners.

9:47 a.m. Wednesday, June 13

WASHINGTON - Arguments have resumed in day two of the $54 million lawsuit at D.C. Superior Court. Administrative law judge Roy Pearson is expected to wrap up his case Wednesday on his claim that he didn't get the satisfaction guaranteed by signs in Custom Cleaners. After Pearson finishes, he'll be cross-examined. Pearson has testified he was offered a pair of pants that wasn't his. After Pearson finishes his case, the lawyer for the Chung family will ask the judge to dismiss the case, saying it has no merits.

8:18 a.m. Wednesday, June 13

WASHINGTON - The administrative law judge who's suing a cleaner for $54 million over a pair of lost pants will wrap up his case Wednesday.

Roy Pearson teared up in court Tuesday, describing getting back a pair of pants he says wasn't his, despite a sign posted in the dry cleaner that said satisfaction guaranteed.

Chris Manning, who represents the family that owns Custom Cleaners, says the case is without merit.

"I think that it's been what we've thought it was all along. It think it's outrageous."

Manning says this is the case he'll ask the judge to dismiss the case after Pearson finishes his, but says his clients remain hopeful they'll be vindicated.

The case in D.C. Superior Court resumes at 9:30 a.m.

5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 12

WASHINGTON - Roy Pearson, the administrative law judge suing his dry cleaner, got emotional as he described the frustration he suffered several days after dropping off his pants to have the waist let out to start his new job. Pearson said he was handed a pair of pants that wasn't his. Another witness called by Pearson (since he is representing himself), said that she too had been offered clothing that wasn't hers.

Pearson told a judge that thousands of people who lived in the neighborhood had also been harmed by the 'Satisfaction Guaranteed' sign that hung in Custom Cleaners. The judge reminded Pearson several times that the case was only about his pants and his experience. Pearson's eyes teared up and he needed a break while talking about his frustrations.

In his opening statement, the lawyer for the Chung family, who own Custom Cleaners, called the case "unreasonable." He said Pearson had financial problems at the time and a history of filing egregious lawsuits. The defense argument: Pearson is an unhappy customer who had been told before by the Chung family that they didn't want his business.

Court has adjourned for the day.

11:39 a.m. Tuesday, June 12

WASHINGTON - Roy Pearson, the administrative law judge suing his dry cleaner, is suggesting he was only one of thousands of people harmed by three misleading signs at Custom Cleaners. Pearson is representing himself. In his opening statement Pearson referred to others in his Fort Lincoln neighborhood as victims. The judge reminded Pearson that he's the only victim.

The lawyer for the Chung family, owners of Custom Cleaners, says the family did misplace the pants but found them and made several attempts to satisfy Pearson. Defense attorney Chris Manning says Pearson has a history of filing egregious civil suits, and that he's simply an unhappy customer with a bone to pick.

10:52 a.m. Tuesday, June 12

WASHINGTON - The administrative law judge who's suing his dry cleaner for $54 million says he's suffered two years of inconvenience and discomfort after his pants were misplaced.

In the opening statement of his civil trial, Roy Pearson told the judge, in an overpacked courtroom, that his claim focuses on three misleading signs posted in the store that guaranteed customer satisfaction.

The attorney for the family that owns the dry cleaner says Pearson filed the suit because he was recently divorced and had significant financial hardship. The lawyer for the Chung family calls Pearson's claim, in his words, "patently unreasonable and honestly ridiculous."

Filed at 9:54 a.m. Tuesday, June 12

WASHINGTON - The $54 million pants trial is underway.

Judge Roy Pearson is representing himself, as he sues the dry cleaner who misplaced the pants he'd brought in to be altered. Pearson has just told the judge his case will focus on what he called the misleading signs that guaranteed customer satisfaction.

The Chung family, owners of Custom Cleaners, is hearing the arguments through a translator. The courtroom at D.C. Superior Court is standing-room only.

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