A judge in the US capital Washington is pursuing a $54 million lawsuit against a dry cleaning shop which he said violated consumer-protection laws when it lost his pants.
Judge Pearson
Roy L Pearson, an administrative judge for the District of Columbia, told a local court that Custom Cleaners should pay the sum because a "satisfaction guaranteed" sign deceived consumers who, like him, were dissatisfied with their experience.
"You will search the records of the District of Columbia courts in vain for a case of more egregious or willful misconduct," Judge Pearson told DC Judge Judith Bartnoff.
The lawyer for the Korean immigrants who run the dry cleaner said Judge Pearson was looking for a way to resolve his financial difficulties after a divorce.
"It's simply a frivolous lawsuit brought by an unhappy customer with a bone to pick," attorney Chris Manning said.
Judge Pearson filed suit after the cleaners lost his pants in 2005. Jin Chung, Soo Chung and Ki Chung said they located the pants a few days later, but Judge Pearson said they were not his.
Judge Pearson counted 12 separate violations of a consumer-protection law over 1,200 days, multiplied by the three defendants. At $1,500 per day, that is $65 million.
He also seeks $15,000 to rent a car to take his clothes to another cleaner for the next 10 years, among other charges.
He has rejected several settlement offers. Judge Pearson has since reduced his claim to $54 million.
The Chungs, who immigrated from South Korea in 1992, have grown disillusioned with the United States and might return to their native country, Mr Manning said.
The case is expected to conclude today.