Dennis Kucinich Sues Over "Dangerous" Sandwich

Updated 3:36 p.m. Eastern Time

Democratic congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio - who is, incidentally, a vegan - has sued a Congressional cafeteria for selling him a "dangerous" sandwich back in 2008.

As Gawker and Courthouse News first noted, Kucinich alleges that the sandwich in question - described a "sandwich wrap" - "was unwholesome and unfit for human consumption, in that it was represented to contain pitted olives, yet unknown to plaintiff contained an unpitted olive or olives."

Kucinich's lawyer Andrew Young confirmed the lawsuit to CBS News.

The complaint - which you can read here (PDF) - goes on to say that Kucinich "could not visually detect" the olive pits and thus ended up "consuming said unfit and unwholesome food."

As a result, the complaint continues, he "sustained serious and permanent dental and oral injuries requiring multiple surgical and dental procedures." It says he also sustained other damages, including "significant pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment."

Kucinich is suing the companies responsible for the cafeteria - which is in the Longworth House Office Building - for $150,000. It is not clear why the lawsuit is coming so long after the alleged incident; a spokesman for the former presidential candidate declined to comment to Gawker on what is being called "a private legal matter."

Kucinich, a staunch liberal and 2008 presidential candidate who continues to press for a single-payer health care system and a full withdrawal from Afghanistan, is in danger of losing his seat next year as a result of expected redistricting in the wake of the 2010 census.