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Jury selection to begin in trial of former Port Richey mayor

Dale Massad is charged with attempt to solicit conspiracy and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate the commission of a crime.

Jury selection is set to begin Monday morning in the trial against former Port Richey Mayor Dale Massad.

Massad is charged with attempt to solicit conspiracy and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate the commission of a crime.

The charges stem from when officials say Massad and former interim Port Richey Mayor Terrence Rowe were taped on a jail phone line discussing retaliation against a witness.

Massad was in jail after prosecutors say he shot at Pasco County sheriff's deputies during a Feb. 21 SWAT raid at his home.

Deputies were trying to serve Massad a warrant at the time after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement got a tip he was practicing medicine in his home without a license.

Massad is accused of using "crack cocaine and meth" daily and stitching-up a friend on his kitchen table. He is charged with the attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, practicing medicine without a license and other charges. On Tuesday, Massad has a pre-trial hearing scheduled for those charges.

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.

Last week, Port Richey voted to elect a new mayor. Scott Tremblay edged out runner-up Bill Columbo.

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