The D.C. Inspector General has opened up an inspection of the agency that employs “pants suit” Judge Roy Pearson, who has been clinging to his $100,000-per-year job for the four months since his term expired.
The city inspection of the Office of Administrative Hearings comes at a time when the agency has been in the spotlight over Pearson’s failed $54 million lawsuit against dry cleaners over a pair of lost pants.
Calls from around the world poured into city offices questioning how a judge who would sue for so much money over a pair of pants could be allowed to make legal decisions for others. Tort reformers held the case up as an example of frivolous lawsuits, and Pearson as the face of overzealous judges.
Deputy Inspector General Austin Anderson said the agency’s review was scheduled independently of Pearson’s litigation.
Chief Administrative Law Judge Tyrone Butler said he welcomed the review, which he described as “routine.”
The Office of the Inspector General notified Butler two weeks ago that it will spend about eight weeks interviewing staff and evaluating OAH management’s policies to make sure the agency’s cases are resolved objectively and timely.
The OAH was created in 2002 so residents and people conducting business with the District could receive fair and impartial hearings. The judges hear matters involving more than 25 agencies, boards and commissions of the District of Columbia.
Pearson generally heard cases involving the Office of Public Works. But his job has been in limbo since his two-year term expired on May 2.
He was seeking a 10-year appointment, but a judicial panel informed him earlier this month that his job was in jeopardy. He has until Aug. 28 to respond.
In the meantime, Pearson remains on the city payroll working as an attorney adviser to OAH.
In considering Pearson for reappointment, the panel looked at several issues in addition to his actions in the pants lawsuit. It also reviewed a series of memos and e-mails that Pearson wrote to colleagues and to the mayor’s office, accusing Butler of being corrupt.
