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Dry Cleaners Sell Shop Shredded by $67M Lawsuit

Deafeated by lost business, trauma

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 20, 2007 3:06 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Years of legal fees and emotional trauma have forced a couple to sell the Washington D.C. dry cleaning shop that was hit with a $67 million lawsuit by a customer over a lost pair of pants. The publicity from the lawsuit, which the customer lost, cost Soo and Jin Chung most of their business, and this is the second of three stores they've had to close.

"They were tired of the whole ordeal," said the couple's daughter-in-law. "A lot of people view this comically because the case is so outrageous, but my mother-in-law has gone down four dress sizes." The couple will now operate out of their original shop, which they opened shortly after moving to America. "Good job, good store," said Soo Chung.

A customer, who declined to give her name, leaves Custom Cleaners in Washington on May 2, 2007. The owners of the dry cleaner who were sued for $54 million over a missing pair of pants have closed and sold the shop involved in the dispute, their attorney said Wednesday, Sept....
A customer, who declined to give her name, leaves Custom Cleaners in Washington on May 2, 2007. The owners of the dry cleaner who were sued for $54 million over a missing pair of pants have closed and...   (Associated Press)
Jin Nam Chung, left, and Soo Chung stand inside of their dry cleaning business, Custom Cleaners, in Washington on May 2, 2007. The owners of a dry cleaner who were sued for $54 million over a missing pair of pants have closed and sold the shop involved in the dispute,...
Jin Nam Chung, left, and Soo Chung stand inside of their dry cleaning business, Custom Cleaners, in Washington on May 2, 2007. The owners of a dry cleaner who were sued for $54 million over a missing...   (Associated Press)
Soo Chung, one of the owners of Custom Cleaners, laughs after speaking with the media after a judge ruled in the dry cleaners' favor in Washington on Monday, June 25, 2007, in a court case in which they were sued for $54 million dollars over a missing pair of pants....
Soo Chung, one of the owners of Custom Cleaners, laughs after speaking with the media after a judge ruled in the dry cleaners' favor in Washington on Monday, June 25, 2007, in a court case in which they...   (Associated Press)
Jin Chung, left, and his wife Soo Chung work in their dry cleaning business Monday, June 25, 2007, in Washington. A judge ruled Monday in favor of a dry cleaner that was sued for $54 million over a missing pair of pants. The owners of Custom Cleaners did not violate...
Jin Chung, left, and his wife Soo Chung work in their dry cleaning business Monday, June 25, 2007, in Washington. A judge ruled Monday in favor of a dry cleaner that was sued for $54 million over a missing...   (Associated Press)
Gretchen Welch, left, with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, greets Jin Chung, and Soo Chung during a fundraiser to help the Washington dry cleaners, pay their legal bills at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington on Tuesday, July 24, 2007. The Chungs were sued for 54 million...
Gretchen Welch, left, with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, greets Jin Chung, and Soo Chung during a fundraiser to help the Washington dry cleaners, pay their legal bills at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce...   (Associated Press)
Holding the pair of pants that had been the center of a lawsuit filed against him, Jin Chung, center, and Soo Chung, right greet supporters during a fundraiser held to help the dry cleaners pay their legal bills at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, Tuesday, July 24,...
Holding the pair of pants that had been the center of a lawsuit filed against him, Jin Chung, center, and Soo Chung, right greet supporters during a fundraiser held to help the dry cleaners pay their...   (Associated Press)
As William Roberts, left, guards the contentious pair of pants, Toni Pronti, Dana Lehman, and Melissa Bergman peek at the trousers during a fundraiser to help Soo and Jin Chung, owners of a Washington dry cleaning business, pay their legal bills at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington...
As William Roberts, left, guards the contentious pair of pants, Toni Pronti, Dana Lehman, and Melissa Bergman peek at the trousers during a fundraiser to help Soo and Jin Chung, owners of a Washington...   (Associated Press)
William Roberts guards the contentious '$54 million pants' during a fundraiser to help Soo and Jin Chung, owners of a Washington dry cleaning business, pay their legal bills at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, Tuesday, July 24, 2007. The Chungs were sued for $54 million over an...
William Roberts guards the contentious '$54 million pants' during a fundraiser to help Soo and Jin Chung, owners of a Washington dry cleaning business, pay their legal bills at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce...   (Associated Press)
Holding the contentious pair of pants, Jin Chung, left, with his wife Soo Chung and attorney Chris Manning, speak with the media outside their dry cleaning business, Custom Cleaners, after a judge ruled in the dry cleaners' favor in Washington on Monday, June 25, 2007, in a court case in...
Holding the contentious pair of pants, Jin Chung, left, with his wife Soo Chung and attorney Chris Manning, speak with the media outside their dry cleaning business, Custom Cleaners, after a judge ruled...   (Associated Press)
Attorney Chris Manning, left, Jin Chung, Mendi Sossamon, and Soo Chung, deliver a statement to the media after exiting DC Superior Court after the first day of the Chungs trial. The Chungs are being sued by DC judge Roy Pearson for 54 million dollars for what he calls mis-leading signage...
Attorney Chris Manning, left, Jin Chung, Mendi Sossamon, and Soo Chung, deliver a statement to the media after exiting DC Superior Court after the first day of the Chungs trial. The Chungs are being sued...   (Associated Press)
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Lawyer: 'A truly tragic example of how devastating a frivolous lawsuit can be'
CNN

Chungs emigrated from the charcoal pits of South Korea
Washington Post

Lawsuit-happy judge may get sacked
DCist

US • Lifestyle • Money

 
Washington DC • Roy Pearson • dry cleaners • lawsuit • pants • dry cleaning • Chungs

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