Judge Plans to Appeal Decision in $54M Missing Pants Lawsuit

WASHINGTON – A judge who lost a $54 million lawsuit against a dry cleaner over a missing pair of pants continues to press his suit.

Roy Pearson, a District of Columbia administrative law judge, filed a notice of appeal Tuesday with the D.C. Court of Appeals.

Jin Nam Chung and Soo Chung, the owners of Custom Cleaners, had hoped Pearson would back off the case after withdrawing their demand Monday that he pay their legal fees, their attorney said.

Pearson, who did not immediately respond to an e-mail message seeking comment, has claimed that the "Satisfaction Guaranteed" sign that once hung in the Chungs' shop was misleading and violated the city's consumer protection act.

Pearson's two-page filing Tuesday presented no new arguments. He is expected to present his appeal once the court schedules briefings in the case.

The trouble began in 2005 after a pair of Pearson's pants that he brought to the cleaners went missing. But a week later, the Chungs said the pants had been found and refused to pay. Pearson said those were not his pants and decided to sue.

The lawsuit originally demanded $67 million but was reduced to $54 million. A judge rejected it in June.