A Florida mayor was suspended from office Friday after he was accused of shooting at police officers trying to arrest him on charges of practicing medicine without a license.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said he had suspended Dale Glen Massad, effectively immediately.
“Dale Glen Massad is clearly unfit to continue serving as Mayor for the City of Port Richey,” DeSantis said in a statement. “It is in the best interest of the residents of the City of Port Richey and citizens of the state of Florida that Dale Glen Massad be immediately suspended from public office.”
Massad was re-elected to a three-year term in 2017. He was arrested Thursday for allegedly diagnosing and treating patients out of his home without a medical license. His license had been suspended in 1992.
When police served Massad with a search warrant at his home, the mayor began shooting at the officers before surrendering, according to the complaint affidavit. No officers were shot.
He also faces five counts of attempted murder.
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said Massad has a history of drug use, violence and threats, according to the Associated Press.
He will not receive any pay while suspended.
