Public left in stitches over $54m pants lawsuit

A NOW-FAMOUS pair of pants was the star attraction at a fundraiser meant to help pay the bills of a dry-cleaner couple caught in a legal stitch.

The $54 million (€39.4m) pants, as they’ve come to be known, were the subject of a widely mocked lawsuit that garnered international attention. Now, they have their own security guard.

Groups advocating stricter guidelines for filing lawsuits and supporters of Jin Nam Chung and Soo Chung, the owners of Custom Cleaners, came from across the country to attend the cocktail fundraiser.

On display were what the Chungs say are the pants that Roy Pearson brought in, were misplaced, and were later found. Mr Pearson sued, arguing that a “satisfaction guaranteed” sign at the cleaners misled him and other customers.

The Chungs successfully defended themselves from the $54m suit, which originally demanded $67m (€48.9m), but they now owe about $100,000 (€72,943) in legal costs.

The American Tort Reform Association and the US Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform put on the fundraiser in the hope of defraying the Chungs’ costs.

The fundraiser netted more than $64,000, with more pledges still coming in, organisers said.

“Without your support, the Chungs could very well have gone bankrupt,” defence attorney Chris Manning told the crowd of about 150.

The guests had appetisers and cocktails, and under the stern gaze of the security guard, some posed for photos with the pants.

The Chungs also made a rare appearance to thank their guests.