Tea Party diner owner who trashed 'Dictator Obama' on his menu busted for welfare fraud

A diner owner in New York who became locally famous for trashing President Obama on his menus has pleaded guilty to, of all things, welfare fraud. Syracuse.com reports that Michael P. Tassone was sentenced last month to a one year conditional discharge after pleading guilty to defrauding the government out of more than $23,000 in welfare payments.

"It was Medicaid fraud," explained Senior Assistant District Attorney Michael Kasmarek. "They had failed to disclose income on their application. As a result they obtained Medicaid benefits they weren't entitled to, from May 1, 2009 to April 30, 2011."

Tassone was featured on Fox News earlier this year because his diner's menu featured items such as the "Dictator Obama/NYS Special (King Cuomo)," which is a plate of eggs and toast that costs $3.59, plus an exorbitant "tax" of $27.99. Other menu items include the "The Anti-Michelle Obama Don't Tell Me What To Eat Or Feed My Kids Burger," and the restaurant itself is adorned with Tea Party "Don't Tread On Me" flags. The menu also encourages patrons to lawfully carry weapons while in the diner.

It seems Tassone didn't hate the government enough to not fraudulently try to acquire Medicare benefits, however, and he actually had a more serious felony welfare fraud charge dropped against him in exchange for his misdemeanor plea.