Can you you refuse to take your pants off for TSA and then leave the airport without problem?

There was a case last week (in Los Angeles) where a guy didn't want to be felt in his private parts so he refused the TSA feel-up and as a result was not allowed to board the airplane BUT he was on the local news and radio shows because they wouldn't let him leave the airport until he agreed to a pat down even though it was made clear he was not going to board the airplane. He is now filing a law suit. Good for him. He wasn't allowed to leave the airport until male TSA agents felt his .