The former chairman of the Williamsburg Planning Commission and his estranged wife have both been charged with domestic assault following a public altercation in a city street Monday.
Demetrios Florakis, 51, and Megan Florakis, 38, fought around 6 p.m. Monday near the intersection of Harrison Avenue and Richmond Road when Demetrios ran over and broke his estranged wife’s leg, police spokesman Maj. Greg Riley said.
He told police he did not know he ran over the woman’s leg until he got out of the car moments later, Riley said.
Demetrios Florakis is charged with domestic assault and maiming, Riley said. Megan Florakis is charged with domestic assault.
Police said Demetrios and Megan Florakis were arguing after Megan Florakis visited her ex-husband’s home on Richmond Road.
Megan Florakis had spent the night at his apartment and left bruises on Demetrios Florakis during an earlier altercation, according to a criminal complaint filed in court.
Demetrios Florakis showed pictures of the bruises to police, and also said his shirt was torn during the altercation, according to the complaint.
Riley said Demetrios Florakis attempted to get into a vehicle and leave the scene during the argument, but Megan Florakis approached the vehicle, still yelling at him. She also allegedly threw her phone at his vehicle and banged on the rear window.
Witnesses told police Demetrios Florakis was taking photos from the outside of his vehicle before he got back in and attempted to leave.
As he left, Megan Florakis’ foot was “very close” to the vehicle. In “the commotion,” Demetrios Florakis ran over her leg, causing it to break, according to the complaint.
Demetrios Florakis stayed on scene until police arrived. He told police he was not aware he had run over Megan Florakis’ leg until after he got out of the vehicle, the complaint indicated.
He was arrested and taken to the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail.
Megan Florakis was taken to Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center. She was served the assault warrant later Monday.
“The couple has an extensive history of domestic incidents and contacts with the Williamsburg Police Department,” the complaint reads.
Demetrios Florakis was released on $5,000 unsecured bond Tuesday. He is ordered to have no contact with his estranged wife.
Demetrios Florakis was also charged with domestic assault in May 2017 after he and his wife allegedly assaulted each other.
At the time Florakis was serving as chairman of the Williamsburg Planning Commission. He resigned from the appointed position May 17, 2017.
The assault charge stemming from that incident was amended to destruction of property in November 2017, then dismissed July 13, 2018 as part of a withheld finding, according to court documents.
Demetrios Florakis was also charged with obstruction of justice in May 2018 after he allegedly asked his daughter, a witness to the alleged May 2017 assault, to “forget about” what she had seen, according to court papers.
He was found not guilty on that charge on July 12, one day before the withheld finding hearing, when the amended charge of destruction of property was dismissed.
The Williamsburg-James City County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court clerk’s office said there have been multiple protective orders against Demetrios Florakis.
The former commission chairman has also been involved in multiple lawsuits with his brother, Nickolas, who alleged Demetrios Florakis embezzled thousands of dollars from various companies, according to court documents.
That lawsuit was declared a nonsuit, meaning the plaintiff, Nickolas Florakis, dropped the case. Demetrios Florakis filed a counterclaim in August 2017.
The counterclaim case remains active.
