Former Port Richey Mayor Found Guilty Of Obstruction

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL -- Former Port Richey Mayor Dale Massad wanted a speedy trial, and he got his wish. On Tuesday, after one day of testimony, a jury found Massad guilty of conspiracy to corrupt justice and misusing a two-way communication device.

This is the first of two trials the former doctor and one-time politician is facing. He is charged with attempted murder after being accused of firing on a Pasco County Sheriff's SWAT Team that was attempting to serve him with a Florida Department of Law Enforcement warrant at his home for practicing medicine without a license. The second trial date has not been set.

Massad, 68, has been held at the Land O' Lakes Detention Center without bond since his arrest Feb. 21. That's where prosecutors say he conspired to obstruct justice during a jailhouse phone call to city councilman Terrance Rowe, who stepped in as acting mayor when Massad was arrested.

Both Rowe and Massad were later suspended from office by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

During the jailhouse call, which was recorded, prosecutors said Massad and Rowe discussed discrediting a Port Richey Police officer who participated in an undercover investigation into Massad, who was accused of providing medical treatment at his home without a license.

Massad's attorney, Denis deVlaming, attempted to suppress portions of the phone call between Massad and Rowe. However, Circuit Court Judge Mary Handsel ruled that the jury needed to hear most of the conversation to understand what led up to the charges. She did agree to redact any mention of the premeditated attempted homicide charges against Massad.

Jurors also heard from Port Richey Police Officer Donald Howard, the subject of the jailhouse phone call. Howard went undercover, posing as a patient needing Massad's services.

Howard told the jury he was alarmed when he heard the jailhouse recording in which Massad directed Rowe to do "anything you can do" to discredit Howard.

Port Richey City Manager Vince Lupo also testified that Rowe went against procedure when he requested police department personnel records from the city clerk rather than from him.

In the meantime, newly elected Port Richey Mayor Scott Tremblay presided at his first city council meeting on Tuesday since his election June 18.

Tremblay won by eight votes over runner-up Bill Colombo with a total of 565 Port Richey residents voting in the special election.

The council is currently made up of Tremblay, William Dittmer, who was appointed vice mayor, and councilwoman Jennie Sorrell.

Although he can't participate in council meetings due to his suspension from office by the governor, Rowe has not resigned from office. Port Richey residents are in the midst of a second round of petitions to have Rowe removed from his council seat.

A first round of signatures to recall Rowe was validated by the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections office May 6. Petitioners have until July 19 to gather the additional round of signatures to recall Rowe. Petitioners must gather signatures from 15 percent of the voters — of 269 voters — for the second round.

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