Judge in $65M Pants Case May Get New Term

WASHINGTON -- A judge who is suing a dry cleaner for $65 million over a missing pair of pants has received a recommendation from his boss -- meaning he may be re-appointed for another term.

Administrative Hearings Judge Roy Pearson filed a civil suit against Jin Nam and Ki Chung, the owners of Custom Cleaners, for losing a pair of pants and using signs that Pearson claims were deceptive.

Pearson's term as a judge expired last week, but he wants to be re-appointed for an additional 10-year term.

Before news of the civil suit surfaced, Chief Administrative Judge Tyrone Butler recommended that Pearson's term be renewed based on his job performance.

However, one D.C. lawmaker isn't sure re-appointing Pearson is a good idea.

D.C. Councilman Phil Mendelson says in theory, the commission considering Pearson's future should ignore the lawsuit.

"I have a couple of concerns," Mendelson says. "Even though the filing of a civil suit has no bearing on an individual's ability to perform their job, if it does adversely affect the reputation of the agency, that ought to be considered."

Mendelson says the commission cannot operate in a vacuum, but he is worried that the controversy surrounding Pearson's case is harming the city.

"I am very concerned about how this national attention is harming the agency -- and that needs to be considered, " he says.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz will hear the missing pants case on June 11.

Pearson has been representing himself in the case.

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