Phillip A. Orphanidis, who served as deputy chief of staff in the Fulop administration at the time, was arrested after a motor vehicle crash near 8th Street and Marin Boulevard in Jersey City on Sept. 30, 2025, according to Jersey City police reports obtained through an OPRA request and released this week by Solomon’s office.
Police were dispatched around 5:20 p.m. to a report of a three-car crash involving a gray Tesla, a black Cadillac, and a white Acura, according to the incident report. Officers met with the driver of a 2026 Tesla Model Y who told police he was stopped at a red light when a 2024 Cadillac Escalade crashed into him from behind, according to the investigation report.
The Tesla driver told officers the Cadillac driver “may be intoxicated as he wasn’t able to walk properly,” according to the police report. When officers spoke with Orphanidis, he repeatedly told police “I tapped him,” but would not provide further details about the crash, according to the report.
Police said Orphanidis admitted to having two alcoholic drinks and showed signs of intoxication. Officers noted watery eyes and difficulty explaining the crash, and said he struggled to follow commands while detained, according to the report.
“At one point Mr. Phillip Orphanidis got up to shake my hands to which I extended my hand and Mr. Phillip Orphanidis was unable to perform a proper handshake by having weakness in the hands as he was unable to grasp my hand firmly,” an officer wrote in the report.
Police also reported smelling alcohol on him and said he stumbled during the interaction.
Orphanidis refused to take a field sobriety test and was arrested on suspicion of DUI, police said.
He was later transported to Central Booking, where he also refused to submit to alcohol testing, according to the report.
During the encounter, Orphanidis referenced his position in city government.
“I’m the fucking deputy chief of staff of Jersey City. I didn’t do anything fucking wrong. This is fucking stupid,” Orphanidis told one of the officers.
Police said the crash left one driver complaining of neck pain from whiplash and resulted in a charge of assault by auto for operating a vehicle while under the influence and causing bodily injury.
Additional summonses were issued for driving with an expired license, operating a vehicle under the influence, failure to possess a driver insurance card, and refusal to submit to a chemical test, according to police records.
During processing, Orphanidis also allegedly made remarks referencing the mayor’s office.
“Steve is going to kill me for this and that he was going to make the news and that the Chief of Staff will notify Steve who is currently on vacation,” Orphanidis said while being fingerprinted, according to the report.
At another point, police wrote that Orphanidis said: “Is the cameras on, I hate you guys.”
Body camera footage from the arrest was later shared by the Jersey City Times on Sept. 30, 2025.
City officials said the footage prompted a review by the current administration.
“This is utterly unacceptable behavior for any Jersey City employee – let alone for a former Deputy Chief of Staff that worked in the inner circle of the Fulop Administration,” Jersey City Communications Director Nathan Styer said in a statement. “Not only was this behavior tolerated by the prior administration, but Mr. Orphanidis was rewarded with a permanent job title after this incident, protecting his employment within the City.
City officials said they launched an expedited investigation with an independent law firm after reviewing the footage.
“After a review of the footage while responding to OPRA requests, we initiated an expedited investigation with an independent law firm to review the potential abuse of power and potential misconduct demonstrated in these videos,” Styer said.
Officials said Orphanidis has since been removed from the position he held after the Fulop administration and reassigned while the investigation continues.
“The contents of these videos show a level of contempt for our neighbors, police officers, and the public trust that was shockingly accepted under the last administration,” Styer said. “The Solomon administration will hold itself to a higher standard, and we are installing greater safeguards to ensure that every employee understands their responsibilities to the public, and are held to account when they violate the public trust.”
Orphanidis currently earns a salary of $103,257.50, according to city officials. He had been serving as assistant director of community development, which is not a civil service-protected position, officials said. He also holds a civil service title as a systems analyst and has been reassigned to that role while the investigation continues, the city said.
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