Port Richey Mayoral Update: Crack, Meth, Potential Recall

PORT RICHEY, FL — A recall campaign and revelations of drug use are the latest developments in Port Richey's volatile mayoral leadership story as of late, according to reports. Court records obtained by the Tampa Bay Times say former mayor Dale Massad, 68, regularly used crack cocaine and methamphetamine, the outlet reported.

Massad was arrested on Feb. 21 after shooting at the SWAT team while they were executing a warrant for his arrest. "He’s lucky he’s not dead," said Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, according to the Times.

A retired medical doctor without a license to practice, he's accused of performing procedures like anesthetizing and suturing a laceration and prescribing drugs, the reason for the SWAT raid.

The SWAT team was necessary, according to Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, because they knew Massad had guns, was a drug user and had declared he wasn't going back to jail after an August arrest on domestic violence charges. He and his live-in girlfriend, Caj Joseph, were both arrested on Aug. 23.

Meanwhile, a nurse is making rounds throughout the city to get signatures for a petition to remove Vice Mayor Terrence Rowe, 64, from the City Council after he was arrested on obstruction charges which stemmed from a recorded conversation with Massad.

Janet Eckermann needs to collect 180 signatures for the petition to go through, and expects to easily meet the goal. "I'm getting a lot of signatures, a lot of people want information," she said, WFLA reported.

Rowe had been serving as acting mayor, but was not removed from the City Council after his arrest.

"He was only suspended by the governor, not removed from office. He did not resign, has not resigned to this date. So, he is out in limbo, the position is out in limbo," said City Manager Vincent Lupo, according to WFLA.

See more on Patch:

• Port Richey Mayor Arrested After Shooting At SWAT Team: Sheriff
• Both Former Port Richey Mayor, Acting Mayor Facing Charges
• Port Richey Mayor, Girlfriend Arrested For Domestic Violence