Judge who sued cleaners over lost pants REFUSES TO PAY THEIR LEGAL FEES! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Ireneparalegal · 08-13-2007, 07:17 PM

Judge Tries to Avoid Paying Legal Bills Of Cleaners He Sued Over Missing Pants

By Henri E. Cauvin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, August 11, 2007; Page B04

The Pants Judge wants to keep the dry cleaners he sued out of his pockets.

In a filing yesterday in D.C. Superior Court, Administrative Law Judge Roy Pearson said he should not be forced to pay legal fees to the dry cleaners he sued over a missing pair of pants.

A case that took nearly two weeks to decide could hardly be considered frivolous, Pearson said in a 65-page brief. The trial judge's written verdict did not take such a charitable view of Pearson's case, dismissing his allegations outright.

An order that Pearson pay attorney fees would be unusual, but the case against Custom Cleaners, a family-owned business on Bladensburg Road NE, was about as odd as they come.

After the pants he had brought in for alterations became missing a couple of years ago, Pearson went on the attack. Saying the pants eventually offered as his were not the ones he had brought in, Pearson sought more than $1,000 to buy a new suit. When the dry cleaners balked, Pearson sued, not for the cost of the pants, not for the cost of the suit -- but for $67 million.

He alleged that the cleaners had defrauded him and other consumers by failing to honor the "Satisfaction Guaranteed" sign posted in the business and that the city's consumer protection law all but demanded that he take on the cleaners.

By the time the case went to trial in June, Pearson had reduced his demand -- to $54 million. Members of the tort reform movement decried the case as an example of all that is wrong with America's legal system. Late-night comedians ridiculed Pearson. And other judges shook their heads in bewilderment.

The judge overseeing the trial, Judith Bartnoff, was, in the end, no more sympathetic. In a 23-page ruling a couple of weeks later, Bartnoff found for Soo and Jin Chung, the owners of the cleaners, saying Pearson was not entitled to a single cent.

That was only the beginning of Pearson's troubles. The Chungs' attorneys, Christopher C.S. Manning and Melinda A. Sossamon, filed a post-trial motion seeking $82,772 in legal fees from Pearson to sanction him for prosecuting what they considered a frivolous lawsuit.

Pearson's submission yesterday replied to the Chungs' requests, which, he said, lack factual or legal support. The fact that his case was allowed to go forward, he said, raises legitimate legal questions.

Beyond that, Pearson said, the Chungs have been so successful at raising money for their defense that any money from him would amount to "a windfall, not compensation."

The Chungs plan to respond to Pearson's filing Monday, Manning said.

"The content of Mr. Pearson's Opposition to the Motion for Fees is yet another example of his irrational crusade against the Chungs," Manning said in a statement. "His arguments are meritless. The Chungs' nightmare continues."

And if the prospect of paying his opponents' legal fees wasn't enough, Pearson also faces the possibility of losing his job. A city commission had been reviewing his application for reappointment when the lawsuit occurred. Since then, his status has been in limbo, and he has worked as an attorney adviser in the Office of Administrative Hearings.

This week, the commission took a step toward ending Pearson's career as an administrative law judge, informing him in a letter that he may not be reappointed and that he is entitled to reply to the conclusions of the commission.

Mikado · 08-13-2007, 07:38 PM

............Speechless

Ireneparalegal · 08-13-2007, 08:29 PM

I really hope this judge loses his job. He is a moron and needs to learn he can't use the judicial system to abuse those who are meek.

Mikado · 08-13-2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I really hope this judge loses his job. He is a moron and needs to learn he can't use the judicial system to abuse those who are meek.

So you arent taking the job as his legal assistant then, Irene?

Ireneparalegal · 08-13-2007, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

So you arent taking the job as his legal assistant then, Irene?

I worked for a judge before. Let me just say, I won't do that again.

I didn't know until I seen this news yesterday that this judge in this whole stupid mess is black. I am sure he is not looking good in the black community with his pious and stupid attitude over a pair of pants.

sweetdiggity · 08-13-2007, 08:42 PM

Wow. What a freakin moron!!

Mikado · 08-13-2007, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I worked for a judge before. Let me just say, I won't do that again.

I didn't know until I seen this news yesterday that this judge in this whole stupid mess is black. I am sure he is not looking good in the black community with his pious and stupid attitude over a pair of pants.

He's looking even worse, in the Judge's community!

dawsongirl · 08-13-2007, 11:27 PM

This dude wins the Worthless Human of the Year award.

catlover79 · 08-14-2007, 12:44 AM

Is this guy STILL in the news!?

Send him over to Judge Judy - I'd love to see her ream him out.

Janice · 08-14-2007, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Is this guy STILL in the news!?

Send him over to Judge Judy - I'd love to see her ream him out.

I'd love to see that myself. Judge, "Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining" Judy tells it like it is.

Max Whittaker · 08-14-2007, 02:15 AM

So... He's effectively destroyed his career. And for what? Pants? Bigotry? Publicity? It is all so pointless...

Whatever. He's made his life. Let him live it. I only hope he doesn't bring down the innocent along with him.

TJL · 08-14-2007, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Whittaker

So... He's effectively destroyed his career. And for what? Pants? Bigotry? Publicity? It is all so pointless...

I agree. This guy sounds like he has a screw loose. Hopefully, they will never let him sit on the bench again.

Mikado · 08-14-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Whittaker

So... He's effectively destroyed his career. And for what? Pants? Bigotry? Publicity? It is all so pointless....

How extremely well-put.......What was he thinking????

"I know, I can make a federal case over a spot on my pants, embarrass myself and my family, not to mention the legal profession......ahh it will be sooo worth it , to torture that dry cleaner, yes, its my MASTER plan!!!!
MWAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!!!!! "

Ireneparalegal · 08-14-2007, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Whittaker

So... He's effectively destroyed his career. And for what? Pants? Bigotry? Publicity? It is all so pointless...

Whatever. He's made his life. Let him live it. I only hope he doesn't bring down the innocent along with him.

I sense bigotry is the factor here. And he is using the system to cover up for that by trying to imply this ridiculous notion that he filed suit on behalf of "all customers" who should have received satisfactory service by these owners. I mean, why not sue every establishment that has the same sign hanging in their business: "Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed"? Why these particular people?

He was ordered to pay their legal fees and now here he is again showing what an a$$ he is!

Ireneparalegal · 08-14-2007, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Whittaker

So... He's effectively destroyed his career. And for what? Pants? Bigotry? Publicity? It is all so pointless...

Whatever. He's made his life. Let him live it. I only hope he doesn't bring down the innocent along with him.

I sense bigotry is the factor here. And he is using the system to cover up for that by trying to imply this ridiculous notion that he filed suit on behalf of "all customers" who should have received satisfactory service by these owners. I mean, why not sue every establishment that has the same sign hanging in their business: "Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed"? Why these particular people?

He was ordered to pay their legal fees and now here he is again showing what an a$$ he is!

08-13-2007, 07:17 PM	#1
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Judge who sued cleaners over lost pants REFUSES TO PAY THEIR LEGAL FEES! Judge Tries to Avoid Paying Legal Bills Of Cleaners He Sued Over Missing Pants By Henri E. Cauvin Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, August 11, 2007; Page B04 The Pants Judge wants to keep the dry cleaners he sued out of his pockets. In a filing yesterday in D.C. Superior Court, Administrative Law Judge Roy Pearson said he should not be forced to pay legal fees to the dry cleaners he sued over a missing pair of pants. A case that took nearly two weeks to decide could hardly be considered frivolous, Pearson said in a 65-page brief. The trial judge's written verdict did not take such a charitable view of Pearson's case, dismissing his allegations outright. An order that Pearson pay attorney fees would be unusual, but the case against Custom Cleaners, a family-owned business on Bladensburg Road NE, was about as odd as they come. After the pants he had brought in for alterations became missing a couple of years ago, Pearson went on the attack. Saying the pants eventually offered as his were not the ones he had brought in, Pearson sought more than $1,000 to buy a new suit. When the dry cleaners balked, Pearson sued, not for the cost of the pants, not for the cost of the suit -- but for $67 million. He alleged that the cleaners had defrauded him and other consumers by failing to honor the "Satisfaction Guaranteed" sign posted in the business and that the city's consumer protection law all but demanded that he take on the cleaners. By the time the case went to trial in June, Pearson had reduced his demand -- to $54 million. Members of the tort reform movement decried the case as an example of all that is wrong with America's legal system. Late-night comedians ridiculed Pearson. And other judges shook their heads in bewilderment. The judge overseeing the trial, Judith Bartnoff, was, in the end, no more sympathetic. In a 23-page ruling a couple of weeks later, Bartnoff found for Soo and Jin Chung, the owners of the cleaners, saying Pearson was not entitled to a single cent. That was only the beginning of Pearson's troubles. The Chungs' attorneys, Christopher C.S. Manning and Melinda A. Sossamon, filed a post-trial motion seeking $82,772 in legal fees from Pearson to sanction him for prosecuting what they considered a frivolous lawsuit. Pearson's submission yesterday replied to the Chungs' requests, which, he said, lack factual or legal support. The fact that his case was allowed to go forward, he said, raises legitimate legal questions. Beyond that, Pearson said, the Chungs have been so successful at raising money for their defense that any money from him would amount to "a windfall, not compensation." The Chungs plan to respond to Pearson's filing Monday, Manning said. "The content of Mr. Pearson's Opposition to the Motion for Fees is yet another example of his irrational crusade against the Chungs," Manning said in a statement. "His arguments are meritless. The Chungs' nightmare continues." And if the prospect of paying his opponents' legal fees wasn't enough, Pearson also faces the possibility of losing his job. A city commission had been reviewing his application for reappointment when the lawsuit occurred. Since then, his status has been in limbo, and he has worked as an attorney adviser in the Office of Administrative Hearings. This week, the commission took a step toward ending Pearson's career as an administrative law judge, informing him in a letter that he may not be reappointed and that he is entitled to reply to the conclusions of the commission.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

08-13-2007, 08:42 PM	#6
sweetdiggity King of comedy!!! Senior Member Join Date: Oct 08, 2005 Location: L.R.G. Headquarters Posts: 2,258	Wow. What a freakin moron!!
	__________________ Leah Remini Guard Forum "I want to and love to bitch... that's just me okay?" - Leah Remini

08-14-2007, 12:44 AM	#9
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Is this guy STILL in the news!? Send him over to Judge Judy - I'd love to see her ream him out.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

08-14-2007, 02:15 AM	#11
Max Whittaker I want Serenity back Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 30, 2001 Posts: 6,180	So... He's effectively destroyed his career. And for what? Pants? Bigotry? Publicity? It is all so pointless... Whatever. He's made his life. Let him live it. I only hope he doesn't bring down the innocent along with him.
	__________________ I will get things done for America – to make our people safer, smarter, & healthier. I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.

08-13-2007, 07:38 PM	#2
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,892	............Speechless

08-13-2007, 08:29 PM	#3
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	I really hope this judge loses his job. He is a moron and needs to learn he can't use the judicial system to abuse those who are meek.

08-13-2007, 11:27 PM	#8
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	This dude wins the Worthless Human of the Year award.