WASHINGTON — Roy L. Pearson Jr., the judge who unsuccessfully sued Soo and Jin Chung, owners of Custom Cleaners, for $54 million over a missing pair of pants, is getting a chance to revive the case.
More than a year after Judge Judith Bartnoff ruled against Pearson in D.C. Superior Court, rejecting his claim and charging him the Chungs’ court costs, Pearson has persuaded an appellate panel to review the case. The D.C. Court of Appeals will hear arguments on Oct. 22, officials said.
Pearson drew international attention with the suit against Custom Cleaners, a Northeast Washington shop he said lost his pants in spring 2005. Among other things, he claimed that he was defrauded by a “Satisfaction Guaranteed” sign posted by the owners.
In addition to the appeal, Pearson is suing the District government, alleging that it broke the law when it rejected his reappointment last year to a 10-year term as an administrative law judge. Sources told the Washington Examiner that he was fired because his behavior in the case and in his own courtroom showed a lack of judicial judgment and temperament.
Citing the strains brought on by the lawsuit and other factors, the Chungs sold the Custom Cleaners store last year.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].