Judge Suing D.C. Dry Cleaner Chokes Up In Court While Recalling Lost Trousers

by Lubna Takruri - June 12th, 2007 - CBC

WASHINGTON (AP) - A judge had to leave the courtroom with tears running down his face Tuesday after recalling the lost pair of trousers that led to his $54 million US lawsuit against a dry cleaner.

Administrative law judge Roy Pearson had argued earlier in his opening statement that he is acting in the interest of all city residents against poor business practices. Defence lawyers called his claim "outlandish."

He originally sued Custom Cleaners for about $65 million under the District of Columbia consumer protection act and almost $2 million in common law claims. He is no longer seeking damages related to the pants, instead focusing his claims on two signs in the shop that have since been removed.

"He is no longer seeking damages related to the pants . . . ." That is why his lawsuit has been reduced from $65 million to ONLY $54 million. An argument that the cleaners first misplaced and then gave him the wrong pants is considered to be actual losses to him of $54 million. $54 million!!!!!!

THE JUDGE CRIED IN COURT ABOUT THE LOSS OF A PAIR OF PANTS. Not his child, or a wife, or a parent, or a sibling, or a grandchild, or even a business partner . . but a PAIR OF PANTS!

Does anyone else besides me think this clown should be called a drama queen? Does anyone else besides me think allowing such a travesty of justice is indicative of a court system that has lost its sanity?