Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken is confronting an extensive list of allegations from her chief of staff, Berenice Ballinas, contained within a 25-page claim released by the city on Thursday. The claim alleges the mayor was frequently intoxicated while conducting city business, to the extent that she required transportation home from City Hall and, in one instance, allegedly attempted to search a former city manager’s car while impaired.
Ballinas, who has served as Aitken's chief of staff since 2022, was placed on leave in July. Her claim details multiple dates when she reportedly witnessed Mayor Aitken under the influence of alcohol, alongside other accusations of improper conduct involving former City Manager Jim Vanderpool and other city leaders. Ballinas further alleges that both Aitken and Vanderpool harassed her, repeatedly questioning her sexuality. In Vanderpool’s presence, Aitken is accused of using a derogatory term referencing Ballinas’ Mexican heritage and referring to God as her "imaginary friend."
The claim outlines specific incidents. Ballinas alleges that during a Team Anaheim dinner, she observed the mayor becoming overly physically affectionate with an unnamed individual. Her husband reportedly removed the Mayor from the event, and during a walk back to the hotel, the Mayor allegedly pushed or knocked over a bicycle, damaging it, and subsequently fell in the street. Ballinas also claims that in April 2025, Aitken appeared visibly impaired by alcohol at a city council meeting and had to be driven home after a closed session. During this drive, using Vanderpool’s car, Aitken allegedly searched through his vehicle and personal belongings, photographing items with her cell phone.
Additional incidents highlighted include a lunch at Club 33 at Disneyland on June 10 of this year, intended to celebrate Ballinas' birthday. Ballinas states that Aitken consumed alcoholic beverages, repeatedly questioned Ballinas about her sexual orientation, and insisted on continuing to drink. Following this, at the 1901 Lounge in Disney California Adventure, Aitken allegedly questioned a Disney Cast Member repeatedly about their sexuality and dating life in Spanish. As a result, Ballinas’ friend’s Club 33 membership was reportedly placed on hold, with Disney citing the making of rude, insensitive, and inappropriate remarks to a Cast Member as an egregious violation of their conduct guidelines.
Beyond these personal conduct allegations, Ballinas claims to have reported conduct she believed violated the law. These concerns included the mayor reportedly not reimbursing the Qatar embassy nearly $17,000 for a Middle Eastern trip, allegations of police overtime abuse, and the use of city staff for the mayor’s prayer breakfast during city work hours, funded by taxpayers. The state’s Fair Political Practices Commission reportedly declined to investigate the Qatar issue.
Ballinas’ claim also suggests that city leaders and elected officials were aware of the mayor’s drinking and her resulting behavior but dismissed Ballinas' concerns when she sought assistance. The claim specifically states: “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’ repeated communications of her concerns were met with minimization, and she was expected to tolerate or manage the difficult conduct of an elected official. Ballinas asserts that the city retaliated against her for reporting these concerns, including by withholding her salary raise. Among those identified as witnesses to the mayor’s conduct are 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.
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 hurling racist and homophobic insults. Lawrence Lennemann, Ballinas’ attorney, characterized the claim as speaking for itself and declined further comment.
The release of this claim comes roughly a month before Mayor Aitken seeks re-election against two new political challengers in the November election. The Anaheim Police Union’s political action committee recently suspended its endorsement of Aitken. While Councilmembers Carlos Leon and Natalie Rubalcava have not publicly addressed the allegations, the rest of the City Council, including the mayor, have publicly called for an expedited investigation into the matter. City spokesman Mike Lyster confirmed that Anaheim takes all claims seriously and that an independent, experienced investigator is expected to be finalized soon, with an investigation anticipated to take place over the next few months. Lyster emphasized the city's goal for a comprehensive, impartial review that balances expediency with due process. In the meantime, numerous residents and local activists have called for Mayor Aitken’s resignation. The City Council, including Mayor Aitken, is scheduled to discuss the claim at a special closed session meeting tomorrow at 9 a.m. Former City Manager Jim Vanderpool, who resigned earlier this year amid scrutiny regarding his ties to Disneyland resort interests, could not be reached for comment.
