Port Richey Mayor, Girlfriend Arrested For Domestic Violence

PORT RICHEY, FL -- The mayor of Port Richey has been arrested and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery following a fight with his live-in girlfriend.

Port Richey Mayor Dale Massad, 67, and his live-in girlfriend Caj Annette Joseph, 57, were arrested Thursday night, Aug. 23, after getting into a physical fight at their home in the 8200 block of Hayward Lane, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

Witnesses who were in the home at the time say, at one point, Massad grabbed Joseph and shoved her into a home office. During the course of the argument, Massad tried to walk way and Joseph reportedly punched him in the back.

Joseph had a small scratch on the back of her neck and left arm, according to sheriff's report.

Both were arrested at 5:30 p.m. and taken to the Land O’Lakes Detention Center. Joseph has been charged with battery on a person older than 65.

While this is Massad's only arrest in Pasco County, Joseph has a long relationship with Pasco law enforcement officials.

She's been arrested 16 times since 2011 including multiple charges of felony battery. She's also been arrested for residential burglary, violation of a domestic violence injunction, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and selling a controlled substance.

Images via Pasco County Sheriff

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