Qns. pol, accused of unwanted sexual advances, says sorry
A Queens assemblyman member accused by two women of making unwanted sexual advances on them at a party nearly a decade ago apologized, local news outlets reported — but that wasn’t enough to spare him heat from other elected officials.
Assemblyman Juan Ardila, a Democrat who who represents Maspeth and Sunnyside, did not immediately respond to calls from the Daily News on Tuesday — but in a statement to the Queens Chronicle, he expressed regret over his past behavior.
“I apologize for my behavior,” he told the Chronicle, which first reported the allegations Monday afternoon. “I have spent time reflecting and I hope to prove I have matured since college. I’m committed to learning from this and I am able to demonstrate my own personal growth.”
One of the women, who spoke anonymously to the Chronicle and the Queens Eagle, said Ardila groped her during a party in October 2015. That woman relayed written allegations from a second woman, who the Chronicle reported was pulled into a bathroom by Ardila. Once there, she alleges he kissed her, and that when she pulled away, he exposed himself.
One of Ardila’s accusers said she was a student at Fordham University at the time of the alleged incident. Ardila, who also attended Fordham, was not a student at the time and was working for then-Councilman Brad Lander as an “office manager/scheduler,” according to his LinkedIn profile.
Lander, now the city comptroller, did not immediately respond to a message.
The allegations against Ardila, who has served as a state lawmaker since January, quickly led to political backlash.
City Councilman Robert Holden (D-Queens), who Ardila ran against for City Council two years ago, demanded his resignation Tuesday and said anyone who endorsed him in the past should rescind their support.
“Juan Ardila’s record of racism, xenophobia, homophobia, antisemitism, reckless driving, and now sexual assault has disqualified him from office,” Holden said in a written statement.
“His actions are reprehensible and unacceptable, and they should be disavowed at all costs by elected officials, like [Queens Borough President] Donovan Richards, unions, and other groups. Sexual assault must never be tolerated,” Holden’s statement said.
Along with his remarks, Holden included a list of people and entities who’ve endorsed Ardila and said that “all those who supported him and knew about these issues, have fallen far short of those standards.”
Richards, who also served in the City Council before becoming Queens borough president, said the allegations against Ardila are “deeply troubling and require a full and thorough investigation.”
“If these disturbing accusations against him are found to be true, Assembly member Ardila should resign,” Richards said in a written statement.
The borough president, who recently called on Holden to rescind his endorsement of Rep. George Santos, also shot back at his former Council colleague for not rolling back his nod to the serial lying congressman.
“Trust in government cannot be possible, however, without accountability from all who have been elected to lead our communities,” Richards said. “Unfortunately, it is clear that Council member Holden — who has refused to rescind his support of Rep. George Santos, even after the serial liar had been accused of sexual misconduct — does not share that same belief.”