Anaheim Mayor Faces Serious Accusations
Anaheim’s Mayor Ashleigh Aitken is under scrutiny, accused of showing up intoxicated at city events, making racially insensitive comments, and asking inappropriate questions about sexual orientation, as detailed in a new 25-page government claim.
Berenice Ballinas, Aitken’s chief of staff since December 2022, claims that she faced harassment, discrimination, and retaliation due to her perceived sexual orientation, Mexican descent, and Catholic faith. The filing also suggests the city did not adequately address the concerns raised by Ballinas.
Ballinas recalls several incidents regarding Aitken’s behavior, especially involving alcohol. For example, she describes a City Council meeting in April 2025 where Aitken reportedly appeared “visibly impaired.” After the meeting, Ballinas claims she had to drive Aitken home in a city vehicle driven by then-City Manager Jim Vanderpool, during which Aitken allegedly rummaged through Vanderpool’s belongings and took photos, despite Ballinas’ objections to them being private.
Moreover, the claim includes allegations of Aitken using a slur against Ballinas, referring to her Mexican heritage by calling her a “dirty Mexican.” An incident at Disneyland in May 2025, where Ballinas offered to drive Aitken home due to her intoxication, turned troubling when the mayor allegedly refused, rejecting the ride because she did not want “a Mexican” to drive her.
Aitken has denied the allegations of using any racial slur and has called for a full investigation into the matter.
In her statement, Aitken emphasized, “These allegations are extremely serious and they deserve to be investigated. I did not use the racial slur attributed to me, and I have always been a champion of the LGBTQ community.” She is reported to be cooperating with a city review of these claims, which an independent investigation is expected to include.
Ballinas further alleges that during a team dinner, she witnessed Aitken acting inappropriately with another person, which led to her husband having to intervene. After one altercation where Aitken allegedly pushed over a bicycle, the claim notes that when Ballinas suggested Aitken needed help, her husband remarked, “Don’t we all?”
There are also claims surrounding Aitken’s questions about Ballinas’ sexual orientation and her behavior during a birthday lunch at Disneyland’s Club 33. Ballinas says Aitken asked her multiple times about being a lesbian and questioned a Disney employee about his sexual preferences, resulting in complaints to Disney about rude and inappropriate comments made during the outing.
Following her report of these incidents, Ballinas was allegedly forced to take leave around July 31, claiming retaliation for opposing behavior she viewed as violations of laws or workplace policies.
As the allegations are being examined, Aitken is reportedly seeking another term as mayor in the upcoming election on November 3.
