Deputy Eddie Gibbs arrested in Harlem

New York State Assembly member Eddie Gibbs was arrested Thursday and charged with disorderly conduct following a traffic stop in Harlem.

“I apologize to Officer Phips. I apologize to Officer Peter. And I accept my subpoena,” Gibbs said. “I was wrong.”

The 55-year-old said his brother's vehicle was stopped by police in East Harlem because of brake problems.

“The NYPD was very patient with me and asked me to get off the sidewalk and out of the street and let the process play out. “I saw my brother and my sick sister-in-law in the car and I didn’t respond adequately,” Gibbs said.

Gibbs said he avoided the stop by checking the brakes.

“The officers don’t know who they are dealing with. They don’t know who they’re pulling aside, and I kind of added to that fear,” Gibbs said.

The MP was elected in 2021. His election marked the first time that a formerly incarcerated person was elected to the state assembly.

As a young man, he served a four-year prison sentence for manslaughter. Gibbs said he planned to speak to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie about the arrest.

NY1 contacted Heastie's office for comment.