One of the two women who accused Queens Assemblyman Juan Ardila of sexual assault years ago said she’s cooperating with a criminal probe of the lawmaker, The Post has learned.
The woman, who claimed Ardila, 29, forcibly touched her at a 2015 party while she was intoxicated, said she spoke with a detective Thursday with the NYPD’s special victims unit working with the Manhattan DA’s office.
“I will be proceeding with an investigation,” the woman, who requested anonymity, told The Post.
“I think Ardila should resign.”
The accuser said she will participate in interviews with prosecutors.
Numerous politicians, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (Yonkers), and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Bronx/Queens), have called on Ardila to resign.
Ardila did not deny the women’s allegations in a statement released earlier this month, 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.”
Ardila, interviewed Thursday by The People’s Voice, said, “We put out a statement. I’ll have more to say shortly.
“That’s all I can say for you now.”
The first-term assemblyman said “no comment” when asked if he would resign.
Queens Councilman Robert Holden, who defeated Ardila when the Assemblyman tried to run for city council in the 2021 Democratic primary, also has contacted Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark to investigate.
“We must send a message that sexual assault will not be tolerated and that those who engage in such behavior will be held accountable for their actions,” Holden said in the March letter to Clark.
The alleged abuse happened at a party in Manhattan and therefore Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s office could take over the case, sources said.
Ardila also apologized in 2021 for posting racist and homophobic slurs online as a teenager.
He had scrubbed the “offensive language” from his Facebook site during that heated Council primary race against Holden.
He also amassed more than two dozen traffic and parking violations from 2019 through early 2022 while driving his Audi Q3 SUV.
