‘Resign’ heat on pol
Sex-assault claims after ‘hate’ postings
Controversial Queens Assemblyman Juan Ardila is facing calls to resign after two women came forward this week accusing him of sexual assault.
And now a Democratic city councilman is calling for a full criminal probe.
Ardila, 29, is accused of forcibly touching two women at a 2015 party while they were intoxicated, with the Queens Chronicle reporting Monday that he had also allegedly kissed and exposed himself to one.
The women, who asked the paper to withhold their identities, said they came forward after learning Ardila had been elected to the state Legislature in 2022.
“He is someone I consider predatory on a pathological level,” one accuser told The Post.
Now Ardila is fighting for his political life after a growing number of fellow Democrats turned on him.
“Allegations made against Assembly member Ardila are deeply troubling and require a full and thorough investigation,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.
“If these disturbing accusations against him are found to be true, Assembly member Ardila should resign,” Richards said.
On Tuesday, Queens Councilman Robert Holden called on the district attorneys of Manhattan, Queens and The Bronx, as well as the NYPD, to investigate the sexual-assault claims.
“The two women who have come forward with allegations of sexual assault by Assembly member Ardila deserve to have their voices heard and receive justice for the harm done to them,” Holden wrote the cops and prosecutors.
He added, “I trust that you will take appropriate action to investigate these serious allegations and charge Assembly Member Ardila for violating the law.”
‘Deeply apologetic’
Ardila did not deny the women’s allegations in a statement released Tuesday, but he did appear to apologize for “past” actions.
“I want the public to know that I am deeply apologetic for my past behavior and acknowledge that my actions have caused great harm,” Ardila said.
“I recognize that this harm was not only to the individuals who came forward, but extends beyond these victims, and impacts survivors everywhere.”
Yet Ardila noted he believes in “second chances” while expressing “hope” he will “earn one with our community” despite the calls for him to resign.
Ardila apologized nearly one year ago after The Post revealed what he later called “offensive language” in past social-media posts filled with racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic comments.
Ardila received support in the past from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whose district includes parts of Queens, and other prominent progressives.
“The congresswoman believes he should step down, and we will be withdrawing his Courage to Change PAC endorsement, which was issued for his 2022 campaign,” an Ocasio-Cortez spokesperson told the Queens
Chronicle Tuesday.
Former Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan, whom Ardila replaced this year, issued a statement urging his constituents to “find a new representative.”
But state Sen. Jessica Ramos, who endorsed Ardila for the seat, said “Juan needs to work this out with his constituents” in a statement Tuesday night.