DISTRICT BRIEFING
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APPEALS COURT
Request for New Trial Rejected In Ex-Judge's Pants Lawsuit
The D.C. Court of Appeals yesterday rejected Roy L. Pearson Jr.'s request for a new trial regarding his highly publicized $54 million lawsuit against a neighborhood dry cleaners over a pair of lost pants.
The three judges who heard his case unanimously agreed that Pearson failed to show that the store's advertised promises amounted to fraud. The judges said Pearson's argument that Custom Cleaners and its owners, Soo and Jin Chung, intentionally committed fraud with their signs "defies logic."
Pearson appealed to the court in October to overturn a 2007 ruling that he was not entitled to damages from the cleaner. Pearson argued he had not received the promised "Satisfaction Guaranteed" or "Same Day Service."
Pearson, a former District administrative law judge, also argued that he was denied access to a jury trial. The appeals court rejected that argument as well.
The Chungs' attorney, Christopher Manning, said his clients were pleased with the decision and now want to focus on their one remaining store at Seventh and M streets NW. Since the lawsuits, the Chungs were forced to close their two other stores because of financial problems.
-- Keith L. Alexander
INAUGURATION
Congress Asked to Double Funds To D.C. for Obama Ceremonies
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton has asked Congress to double the $15 million in federal inauguration funds provided to the District, saying the city will need much more than that with the huge crowds expected for the swearing-in of President-elect Barack Obama.
Norton (D-D.C.) noted yesterday that the city spent $17.3 million on the second inauguration of President Bush in 2005, which attracted 300,000 spectators. Officials say crowds at the Obama ceremonies could number from 1.5 million to 3 million, she said.
The city can recoup many of its inaugural expenses above the initial $15 million in federal funds, but must go through a lengthy process, she said. Norton is seeking to have the funds provided more quickly.
-- Mary Beth Sheridan
