WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform President Lisa A. Rickard released the following statement on the Chung family’s decision to close Custom Cleaners as a result of Judge Roy Pearson’s $54 million lawsuit:
“The Chung family’s action today to close their Custom Cleaners store due to a nearly three-year battle against Judge Pearson’s abusive lawsuit is a sad reality and another reminder of the real effect that frivolous lawsuits have on businesses across the nation. The Chungs have now shuttered two of their three stores due to this lawsuit.
“What is worse is that Washington DC’s Consumer Protection Act, the law that Judge Pearson is using as a weapon against the Chungs, is still in effect. This law was designed to protect the citizens of the District of Columbia, but instead is being used as a weapon against them.
“No other business in Washington should have to be threatened with a lawsuit due to this overly broad Act. We call on Mayor Adrian Fenty and the Washington, DC city council to quickly amend this law to bring common sense back to the consumer protection laws.”
The mission of the Institute for Legal Reform is to make America’s legal system simpler, fairer, and faster for everyone. It seeks to promote civil justice reform through legislative, political, judicial, and educational activities at the national, state, and local levels. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation, representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.
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