July 5, 2007
Pants Lawsuit Will Continue (to Make People Angry)
The Post's Marc Fisher has the goods on the continuing saga of administrative law judge Roy Pearson's crusade against the Chung family, owners of Custom Cleaners. Despite the recent ruling that Pearson's $54 million lawsuit against the Chungs, for misplacing a pair of the plaintiff's pants, had no legal merit, Pearson will soldier on. And he's doing it for you and me. Pearson told defense lawyer Christopher Manning that he planned to file an appeal today because he feels the need to "continue to fight in the best interests of all Washington residents."
Now, the odds that this ruling will be overturned on appeal approach zero, but that doesn't mean it's not a big pain in the rear for everyone involved -- especially the Chungs, who have already racked up more than $100,000 in legal fees defending themselves. While Manning pursues his request to require Pearson to pay for the Chungs' attorney's fees, there will be a fundraiser on July 24 to benefit the family, which will be open to the public.
In the meantime, D.C. taxpayers wait to find out whether Judge Pearson will be removed from the bench permanently. Fisher points out that the panel that will determine whether Pearson is to be reappointed for a new term has yet to make a decision -- they put it off at first as Mayor Fenty's request, so that he could fill a vacancy on the commission on the tenure of administrative law judges. That appointment is now complete, but the panel continues to put off deciding until a judge rules on the attorney's fees request -- certainly Pearson's decision to appeal ought to figure in the panel's proceedings.
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On the remote chance that this asshole wins, as a District resident and user of services I fully expect a check in the mail.
In the words of Anheuser-Busch, know when to say when.
how about this for making lemonade out of lemons. scooter libby's peeps raised millions for his legal fund, and i'm sure they'll have some left over. i'm sure those money-grubbing neocons can afford to shunt $100K to some "Great Americans", right?
Wasn't it reported that ALJ Roy Pearson harassed his ex-wife for eight long years through the court process after their divorce?
Every man deserves his day in court but it seems like Pearsons has denied us our day with as much as he has been in court.
I can't believe how upset this whole thing makes me. I'm this close to suing this guy Pearson for the time I've spent (wasted) angry at his bullying and lunacy.
The entire debacle makes me mad - not only is Pearson costing the Chungs a ridiculous amount of money, but he is also costing the entire city. The time and resources that are being devoted to this case, like Pearson's salary, are paid for by DC taxpayers.
It seems a no-brainer that he should be made to pay the Chungs' court costs.
As much as I support the Chungs, however, I'm a bit skeptical of the fundraiser that is being held. Unless someone can assure me that 100% of the money raised goes to the Chungs (even if Pearson is made to cover their costs), I'm not going to throw money at one lawyer because of the actions of another. With all contributions being sent care of their defense lawyer, I can't help but think he's going to get a portion regardless of whether or not his court fees are repaid by Pearson.
Where are people getting the "hundred thousand dollar" figure for the Chung's legal expenses? Even this sort of long, drawn out case does not cost $100k.
I notice that the Chungs' fundraising website does not offer any numbers, nor have the attorneys speaking to the media.
Maybe these careful small business owners have allowed their expenses to get totally out of control. Or, more likely, the firm knows that donations or recovery will get them a bigger payout than the Chungs themselves could ever offer.
I support the cleaners on this one, but if they are actually letting their lawyers bill them that much they are as nuts as Pierson.
Let's not pretend that the Chungs will ever pay anywhere near that amount.
EAsy then - Don't donate to the Chungs through the handy dandy paypal-rific event site. We all know where the cleaners is, so just send them the check directly. Then you know they get it. And honestly, they won't get more than they deserve for having put up with this jerk for so long. Think about how much it hurts to even get called for jury duty then compound that by some painful exponential amount. I for one just sent them a donation.
Given this last session, if Pearson just holds out long enough, and keeps appealing until he gets to the Supreme Court, then I think he's got a chance!