Washington, D.C., Lawyer Roy Pearson Sues a Dry Cleaners for $67 Million for Lost Trousers

Lawyer Roy Pearson -- himself a local judge in Washington D.C -- says in court papers that he's been through the ringer over a lost pair of prized pants he wanted to wear on his first day on the bench. He says in court papers that he has endured "mental suffering, inconvenience and discomfort." He complains that he was misled by a "Satisfaction Guaranteed" sign.

Pearson plans to call 63 witnesses. Defending themselves against the suit -- for two years running -- are Korean immigrants Jin and Soo Chung and their son, who own Custom Cleaners and two other dry cleaning shops in the Fort Lincoln section of Washington D.C. The have so far spent thousands of dollars defending themselves.

"It's affecting us first of all financially, because of all the lawyers' fees,'' Jin Chung said. "For two years, we've been paying lawyer fees... we've gotten bad credit as well, and secondly, it's been difficult mentally and physically because of the level of stress." Later, Soo Chung broke down in tears. "I would have never thought it would have dragged on this long," she told ABC News. "I don't want to live here anymore. It's been so difficult. I just want to go home, go back to Korea."

First, Pearson demanded $1,150 for a new suit. Lawyers were hired, legal wrangling ensured, and eventually the Chungs offered Pearson $3000 in compensation.

No dice.

Then they offered him $4,600.

No dice.

Finally, they offered $12,000 for the missing gray trousers with the red and blue stripes.

Pearson said no.

The judge went to the lawbooks. Citing the District of Columbia's consumer protection laws, he claims he was entitled to $1,500 per violation.

Per day. He believes he is entitled to $1,500 for each violation, each day during which the "Satisfaction Guaranteed'' sign, and another sign promising "Same Day Service'' was up in the store -- more than 1200 days.

And he's multiplying each violation by three because he's suing Jin and Soo Chung and their son.

He also wants $500,000 in 'emotional damages' and another $542, 500 in legal fees, even though he is representing himself in court.

He wants $15,000 for ten years worth of weekend car rentals as well.

After enlisting neighbors and fellow customers, he sought to expand the case into a class action suit, but was denied.

My opinion: That this case has not been thrown out of court as an act of pure insanity and bullying is an indictment of the entire US legal system. The plaintiff should be disbarred, thrown off the bench, fined a serious amount of money to be paid to the defendants, and sent to a mental institution for evaluation (indeed perhaps the entire system should be sent to a mental institution). Too many lawyers see the legal system as their own personal ATM and grievance chamber. This case will become the new poster-child for tort reform.

Roy L. Pearson, Jr. and the $65 million pants
Lawyer Basically Seeks $65 Million For Missing Pants
Lawyer's Price For Missing Pants: $65 Million
Judge Pearson, we will buy you a new suit
D.C. Judge Seeks $67 Million for Lost Pants
Judge Sues Dry Cleaners for $65 Million
Lessons from the $65,000,000 pants suit