Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken acknowledged having an alcohol problem and entering a rehabilitation center last year, according to a Friday morning post on her Instagram account. The Mayor stated she checked herself into the Betty Ford Center in June 2025, recognizing an "unhealthy relationship with alcohol" and a need for help managing stress and responsibilities.
Her admission came minutes after city council members emerged from a special closed-door meeting to discuss a claim against the city. This claim, made public yesterday, was filed by Aitken’s chief of staff, Berenice Ballinas, and alleges the Mayor engaged in heavy drinking at government functions, directed racist slurs at Ballinas, questioned her sexuality, and mocked her faith.
While accepting responsibility for her alcohol consumption, Mayor Aitken firmly denied the allegations of racist slurs. In her post, she mentioned a recent setback in her recovery journey, stating, "I hit a bump this past June and drank at a birthday event. I disappointed myself and committed to start again." She expressed that she had hoped to share her recovery on her own terms and apologized for the burden her drinking caused, stating, "I apologize to anyone burdened by my drinking, especially my family."
According to Ballinas's claim, the Mayor drank heavily at a June 10, 2026, birthday celebration for Ballinas at Disneyland’s Club 33. The claim alleges that during a three-hour lunch, Mayor Aitken consumed alcoholic beverages and repeatedly questioned Ballinas about her sexual orientation, then insisted on continuing to drink afterwards. Ballinas further claims that at the 1901 Lounge in Disney California Adventure, Aitken questioned a Disney Cast Member about their sexuality, leading to Ballinas’s friend's Club 33 membership being placed on hold due to Aitken’s behavior.
The claim also details other allegations, including former City Manager Jim Vanderpool commenting on Ballinas's perceived sexuality. Ballinas further alleges that Mayor Aitken referred to Vanderpool as a "faggot man" and searched his car. The chief of staff's claim also portrays a city hall environment of allegedly apathetic leadership that dismissed her concerns. Ballinas alleges that she reported conduct she believed was illegal concerning who paid for Aitken’s husband's plane ticket to Qatar and that city officials retaliated against her by withholding her salary raise.
Another incident cited in the claim occurred during a June 2025 conference in Tampa, where Ballinas alleges Aitken's husband called her late at night to help pack up the Mayor and arrange her return to California. Ballinas describes finding the Mayor in what she perceived to be an "impaired condition." Following this trip, Aitken was reportedly absent for an extended period, during which Ballinas was expected to manage inquiries about the Mayor’s whereabouts and responsibilities.
After the special closed-door meeting on Friday, city officials publicly reported that no reportable action was taken. However, an independent investigation into the allegations is expected to proceed over the next few months, as confirmed by city spokesman Mike Lyster. Mayor Aitken has vowed to cooperate with this investigation, stating she trusts the evidence will reveal the truth.
Councilman Carlos Leon publicly addressed the allegations for the first time on Friday, stating that they are serious and merit a fair investigation. He expressed belief in due process and allowing facts to guide conclusions, confirming that an independent investigator has been retained. Councilwoman Natalie Rubalcava also broke her silence, stating she was deeply troubled by the accusations and supported an independent investigation, emphasizing that residents and communities, particularly Latino and LGBTQ+ communities, need to feel respected by their representatives.
During the Friday morning meeting, approximately half a dozen residents spoke, with many condemning city leadership for allegedly minimizing Ballinas’s concerns and only initiating an investigation after the scandal became public. Resident Stephanie Mercadante questioned the delay, stating, "How dare this city act as though they just learned there was a problem" and characterizing the situation as "institutional failure."
Mayor Aitken is currently running for re-election next month against two other candidates. In her post, she vowed to be a better leader for Anaheim and to continue her recovery journey.
