I tought a little bit about it.
I think admin (nanotube) should be able to remove ratings that he clearly see is malicious. For instance a user that neg-rates many other uses without having done trades with them, and get a lot of complaints about his actions.
If there's doubt - then a neg rating should not be removed.
Or it could be a decision made of the most trusted users on bitcoin-otc, for instance nanotube, sturles and more.
I've learned that Nanotube refuses to remove any ratings, something that I can understand, but if it gets to a point where the system is abused too much, it might lose it's value, and then action is required.
If I trade with you on IRC I'll know that rating was bullshit, but if I look you up on localbitcoins.com and see -10 imported OTC score, with no way to ask other users why the -10 rating from this guy then it hurts your rep for sure.