Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken is confronting a range of serious allegations outlined in a 25-page claim from her chief of staff, Berenice Ballinas. The document, released by the city on Thursday, asserts that the Mayor was regularly intoxicated on city business, to the extent of needing rides home from City Hall and attempting to search a former city manager’s vehicle while under the influence. Ballinas’ claim also includes accusations of harassment, discriminatory remarks, and alleged misuse of city resources, with city leadership reportedly aware of the Mayor's conduct.
According to Ballinas, who has served as Aitken's chief of staff since 2022 and was placed on leave in July, she witnessed Mayor Aitken drunk on multiple occasions. Among the specific incidents detailed in the claim, Ballinas alleges that during a Team Anaheim dinner, she observed the Mayor becoming "physically affectionate" with an individual, including touching and grabbing, before being removed by her husband. Later, the Mayor allegedly pushed or knocked over a bicycle, damaging its mirror, and then fell in the street. Ballinas claims she expressed concern to the Mayor's husband, who reportedly responded, "Don’t we all?" The claim also references an incident in April 2025 where Aitken allegedly appeared “visibly impaired by alcohol” at a city council meeting and had to be driven home, at which point she reportedly searched and photographed items within former City Manager Jim Vanderpool’s car.
Further allegations detail an incident on June 10 of this year, when Ballinas claims Mayor Aitken consumed alcoholic beverages and repeatedly questioned Ballinas’ sexual orientation during a birthday lunch at Club 33 at Disneyland. Following this, the Mayor reportedly insisted on continuing to drink at the 1901 Lounge in Disney California Adventure, where she allegedly questioned a Disney Cast Member multiple times about their sexuality, speaking in Spanish based on her perception that he was Latino. Ballinas claims that her friend's Club 33 membership was subsequently placed on hold, with Disney citing reports of "rude, insensitive, and inappropriate remarks" made to a Cast Member during the visit.
Beyond the allegations of alcohol consumption, Ballinas’ claim includes accusations of harassment by both Mayor Aitken and former City Manager Vanderpool, stating they "repeatedly questioned and commented about her sexuality." Ballinas further alleges that Mayor Aitken called her “a dirty Mexican” in Vanderpool’s presence and referred to God as “her imaginary friend.”
The chief of staff's claim also raises concerns about alleged conduct that Ballinas believed violated the law. These include concerns that the Mayor did not reimburse the Qatar embassy nearly $17,000 for a trip to the Middle Eastern country, alleged police overtime abuse, and that Aitken used city staff to assist with her prayer breakfast during city work hours on the taxpayer’s dime. The Los Angeles Times’ Daily Pilot previously reported that the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission declined to investigate the Qatar issue.
Ballinas claims that she reported her concerns about these issues and the Mayor's behavior, but that the city retaliated against her, including by withholding her salary raise. The claim states that "City leadership, officials, employees, elected officials, governmental colleagues, and outside stakeholders were well aware of the Mayor’s alcohol consumption and her resulting condition and behavior from their own personal observations." It further alleges that Ballinas repeatedly communicated her concerns to city leadership, but that senior officials frequently minimized the circumstances and expected her to tolerate or manage the difficult conduct of an elected official. Current staff members, including City Attorney Rob Fabela, Interim City Manager Greg Garcia, Director of Human Resources Linda Andal, Deputy Police Chief Charles Cinnamo, and the city’s ethics officer Artin Berjikly, are cited in the claim as witnesses to the Mayor’s alleged conduct.
Mayor Aitken did not respond to a request for comment on the claim and its allegations on Thursday morning, although she has previously denied allegations of using racist and homophobic insults. The release of Ballinas’ claim comes about a month before Mayor Aitken seeks re-election in the November election, defending her seat against two political newcomers.
Anaheim city spokesman Mike Lyster stated that "Anaheim takes all claims seriously." He confirmed that the city's process is moving forward, with an independent, experienced investigator expected to be finalized soon, and an investigation anticipated to take place over the next few months. Lyster noted the city is seeking a "comprehensive, impartial review" and will share updates as appropriate. Former City Manager Jim Vanderpool, who resigned earlier this year amid questions about ties to Disneyland resort interests, could not be reached for comment.
The City Council, including Mayor Aitken, will discuss the claim at a special closed-door meeting scheduled for tomorrow at 9 a.m. This development follows the Anaheim Police Union’s political action committee suspending its endorsement of Mayor Aitken. While Councilmembers Carlos Leon and Natalie Rubalcava, both up for re-election, have not publicly commented on the allegations, other council members have publicly called for an expedited investigation. In the community, a host of residents and local activists have begun calling for Mayor Aitken to resign in light of these allegations.
