Calif. disabled man can't sue anymore

A California man who has sued 400-plus businesses for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act -- and collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process -- can no longer sue, after a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court.

I wrote about Jarek Molski several years ago for the Santa Maria Times. Back then, Molski had sued wineries and restaurants across our coverage area, California's Central Coast. Most of the businesses settled with him rather than face an expensive court battle.

Molski claimed to be a crusader for disability rights. Technically, he wasn't doing anything illegal. But most people seemed to view him as a gold-digger taking unfair advantage of the law. In 2004, a federal judge called Molski an extortionist.

Anyway, the U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal of a federal court ruling banning Molski from litigating ever again. From the Los Angeles Times story about the decision, it doesn't look like he'll have much chance of getting that decision turned over.

Sidenote: A number of the businesses Molski sued were made famous after being featured in the film Sideways.