A majority of Anaheim City Council members have broken their silence regarding allegations that Mayor Ashleigh Aitken made racist and homophobic comments towards her chief of staff. This week, three council members explicitly called for an expedited investigation, with increasing demands for the public release of documents detailing the claims. This development occurred during Tuesday's council meeting, a week after Councilwoman Natalie Meeks first publicly requested an investigation into the allegations initially reported by the LA Times’ Daily Pilot.
Councilwoman Norma Campos Kurtz joined Councilwoman Meeks in demanding an expedited investigation. During Tuesday's meeting, Kurtz stated that if the allegations are proven true, she would call for the Mayor's resignation. Kurtz also requested a special closed-door council meeting to be scheduled before October 13th for the council to address the city attorney’s office regarding the threat of litigation stemming from the alleged conduct. Additionally, she sought an update on the public release of the claims documents submitted by the Mayor's chief of staff, Berenice Ballinas, and the status of the ongoing investigation.
Mayor Aitken, who is seeking re-election in November and denies the allegations, responded to Kurtz's comments. Aitken remarked on Kurtz "kicking me while I’m down," but affirmed her support for an independent investigation, stating, "I welcome an independent investigation, I need this independent investigation to clear my name." She emphasized that the process would play out, believing in due process where one is innocent until proven guilty.
Scores of residents voiced their concerns during public comment on Tuesday night, questioning the previous silence from the council. Former City Councilman Jose Moreno, president of the Latino advocacy group Los Amigos, noted Mayor Aitken's past support for district elections, which helped Latinos secure council seats. Moreno urged patience for the investigation's completion, affirming belief in due process, and thanked Councilwoman Meeks for her call for accountability. However, Moreno criticized Councilmembers Natalie Rubalcava, Carlos Leon, and Norma Campos Kurtz for their previous week's silence, characterizing it as a "betrayal" to the community's efforts. Rubalcava and Leon, both also on November's ballot, did not publicly address the issue during the Tuesday meeting.
Councilwoman Kristen Maahs also weighed in, asserting, "There is no room for racism in our city period." Maahs expressed concern for both residents and city staff, suggesting that those using the situation for "political gain and political theater" showed a "lack of character." She later mentioned her own Mexican heritage.
Councilman Ryan Balius added his voice to the growing calls for an expedited investigation. Balius stated his belief, "I believe strongly in innocent until proven guilty," and clarified his prior silence, indicating agreement with Councilwoman Meeks' initial call for an investigation. Balius also suggested that Mayor Aitken might consider suspending her public calendar until the investigation concludes, noting that city staff often go on investigatory leave in similar situations.
The allegations, first reported by the LA Times’ Daily Pilot, involve claims made by Berenice Ballinas, Mayor Aitken's chief of staff, regarding racist and homophobic comments. Mayor Aitken has consistently denied these allegations. The calls for investigation intensified after Councilwoman Meeks' initial public statement a week prior, making her the first council member to address the claims.
