NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — A trial date is set for next month for some of the charges against the former Port Richey mayor.
On Friday morning, a judge at the West Pasco Judicial Center scheduled Dale Massad's trial to start on June 24 on charges of obstruction of justice and use of a two-way communication device.
The two charges stem after officials say Massad and former interim Port Richey Mayor Terrence Rowe were taped on a prison phone line discussion retaliation against a witness earlier this year. Rowe was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice, conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice and use of two-way communication device to facilitate the commission of a crime. Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Rowe in March.
There is not a trial date set for other charges Massad faces, including attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and practicing medicine without a license. A pre-trial hearing on those charges is set for June 20.
Court documents released in April show Massad used crack cocaine and meth every night. Massad is also accused of using drug runners to do his “dirty work.”
According to records, while Massad held elected office, he also played personal doctor for many of his friends, tending to injuries on his own kitchen table.
What other people are reading right now:
- Amazon plans to open a cargo hub at Lakeland's airport, could bring 1,000 new jobs
- Video shows woman try to kidnap toddler from McDonald's, police say
- He was murdered and his wife shot. The killers were just convicted in his death.
- He was targeted for human trafficking through his mom. Now, he shares his story to help others.
- Gov. Ron DeSantis has tense exchange with school board member during first lady's visit
►Have a news tip? Email desk@wtsp.com, or visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.
