Natal, Brazil – May 18, 2005

Luis Fernandes Peres is suing El Bar Medieval in the city of Natal after being charged an $8 vomit tax.

According to Fernandes, while at the bar his girlfriend began feeling sick. He helped her to the bathroom where he claims an attendant denied his girlfriend access into the women’s facility. An argument ensued between the three parties. The girlfriend, unable to control herself any longer, vomited.

Renato de Luca, the bar’s owner, has a different account of what happened. He claims the girlfriend was served five beers, and was clearly intoxicated. The woman was given access to the bathroom where de Luca claims she vomited on the floor, toilet seat, sink and mirror.

All parties agree that the couple received an $8 cleaning charge from the bar, which was added to their tab after the incident.

De Luca states the "vomit tax" policy is clearly written on the bar’s menu as an item. Fernandes calls it "an act of extortion."

The bar could face legal damages of up to $1.2 Million (U.S. Dollars).