Community Board 2 received a Zoom presentation from controversial Assembly member Juan Ardila on Thursday night. He was accused of sexual assault by two women earlier this year.
He began by talking about his “victories in Albany” and the work that he has done for his western Queens District–but he was later slammed for not addressing sexual assaults which took place in Manhattan at a party in October 2015.
Ardila did not say a word until two tweets shortly after the accusers made their allegations in March. In one of his statements, he admitted responsibility and called for restorative Justice.
Ardila began the call by saying, “So, everyone, Happy Thursday, and happy start of summer.” He then discussed the state budget passed in Albany last week and some of its victories, such as the passage the Electric Buildings Act which will ban gas stoves from new buildings and the Build Public Renewables Act which aims at reducing fossil fuel dependency.
Assemblymember Juan Ardila
Ardila stated that “there were some gains…especially in climate issues.” “We’re very excited about these.”
Ardila then spoke about the additional MTA funds that will bring five bus routes free. “I am very excited about it. We could use more interconnectivity in New York City.”
He expressed his disappointment at the failure of the Good Cause Eviction Bill, which would have provided better tenant protections.
The board, along with State Senator Kristen Gonzalez and Councilmember Julie Won, who attended the meeting had little interest in Ardila’s “achievements” at Albany.
They wanted to know why they had not resigned.
Ardila said to the board that he considered the incidents “a personal matter”, and that the meeting wasn’t the right place to discuss such matters. He said he attended Thursday’s board meeting to discuss his work with the district.
State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez of western Queens, who has called on Ardila to resign, said the allegations were affecting his ability represent the district because his colleagues in Albany have distanced themselves from him.
Gonzalez, who claimed to be a survivor of sexual assault, noted that all elected officials who represent a district that overlaps Ardila’s — whether on a federal or state level, or at the city level — have called for his resignation. The governor has also.
Gonzalez told the board of directors and constituents in his district, “You do not receive the representation you deserve.” She also claimed that Ardila took credit for budget victories that he did not have much to do with.
Gonzalez said, “You know that there were some important wins that the Assemblymember mentioned.” “For instance, the Electric Buildings Act. Assemblymember Gallagher has asked him to resign. He referred to the Build Public Renewables act, which was a project of the Democratic Socialists of America. All DSA members elected in districts that overlapped with his have called for his resignation.
Gonzalez said, “He mentioned Good Cause Eviction – a bill that was carried by Senator Julia Salazar – another woman, and survivor, who has called for him to resign.” She also said that he had nothing to do about the additional bus routes.
Gonzalez said Albany was about working with other officials and being able organize.
She also said that his words about restorative justice were not sincere.
Gonzalez asked, “If we believe restorative justice why haven’t you seen any real responses to this?” She said the survivors had called for him step down, and he should.
Councilmember Julie Won of western Queens, who represents the Councilmembers, used some of her harshest language.
“You must explain why you refuse to resign,” Won said to Ardila during the meeting. “You cannot ignore victims who want you to resign and say nothing.”
She said one of the victims was a constituent, and that this wasn’t a personal issue but a community matter because it affects people in her district. She also accused him of harassing his victims.
She said: “I want to make clear that harassing the victims and intimidating them through your attorney, Stuart Slotnick is not okay.” “What you’re doing to these women, intimidating them, harassing them and silencing them via your attorney… is not okay.”
“They’re hiding because of what you do,” Won said.
Slotnick is an attorney at Buchanan Ingersoll and a defense lawyer.
