Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken is facing a series of serious allegations regarding her conduct on city business, as detailed in a 25-page claim from her Chief of Staff, Berenice Ballinas. The claim, released by the city on Thursday, alleges that Aitken was frequently intoxicated during city functions, requiring transportation home and, on one occasion, attempting to search a former city manager's car while impaired. Ballinas also claims to have experienced harassment, including racist and homophobic remarks, and alleges broader impropriety among city leaders.
The claim by Ballinas, who has served as Aitken's chief of staff since 2022 and was placed on leave in July, outlines multiple instances where she observed the Mayor allegedly intoxicated. These include an incident at a Team Anaheim dinner where Aitken was reportedly "physically affectionate" with an individual, pushed over a bicycle, and fell in the street before being taken home by her husband. Another alleged incident occurred after a city council meeting, where Ballinas claims Aitken was "visibly impaired by alcohol" and, while being driven home in former City Manager Jim Vanderpool's car, began searching through his vehicle and personal belongings.
Ballinas further alleges that Aitken made inappropriate comments, including calling her "a dirty Mexican" in the presence of Vanderpool, and questioning her sexuality repeatedly. During a lunch on June 10 this year, intended to celebrate Ballinas' birthday, the Mayor allegedly consumed alcoholic beverages and again questioned Ballinas about her sexual orientation. The claim states that the Mayor then insisted on continuing to drink, leading them to meet a friend at a lounge, where Aitken reportedly questioned a Disney Cast Member about their sexuality and dating life. This behavior allegedly resulted in the friend's club membership being placed on hold due to reports that a guest made "rude, insensitive, and inappropriate remarks" to a Cast Member during the visit. The claim also notes Aitken's alleged reference to God as "her imaginary friend."
Beyond personal conduct, Ballinas claims to have reported concerns about actions she believed violated the law. These include allegations that the Mayor did not reimburse the Qatar embassy nearly $17,000 for a trip to the Middle Eastern country, concerns about police overtime abuse, and the use of city staff for the Mayor's prayer breakfast during city work hours. The state's Fair Political Practices Commission previously declined to investigate the Qatar issue.
Ballinas also claims that city leaders, officials, employees, and elected officials were "well aware" of the Mayor’s alcohol consumption and resulting behavior. She alleges that her concerns were repeatedly communicated to city leadership, but rather than providing effective assistance, senior officials "frequently minimized the circumstances" and expected her to tolerate or manage the difficult conduct. The claim specifies that current staff, 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, were witnesses to the Mayor’s alleged conduct. Ultimately, Ballinas claims the city retaliated against her for reporting these concerns, including by withholding a salary raise.
Anaheim Mayor Aitken has not responded to a request for comment on the claim as of Thursday morning, though she has previously denied allegations of racist and homophobic insults. The claim comes approximately one month before Aitken is set to defend her mayoral seat against two challengers in the November election. Ballinas' attorney, Lawrence Lennemann, stated that the claim "speaks for itself" and declined further comment on Thursday.
City spokesman Mike Lyster confirmed that city officials are releasing the claim with "limited redactions" to protect personnel, medical, and attorney-client information. Lyster stated via email 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. He emphasized a desire for a "comprehensive, impartial review" that balances expediency with due process. The Anaheim Police Union’s political action committee recently suspended its endorsement of Mayor Aitken. While Councilmembers Carlos Leon and Natalie Rubalcava have not publicly addressed the allegations, several city council members and local residents have publicly called for an expedited investigation into the matter. Former City Manager Jim Vanderpool, who resigned earlier this year, could not be reached for comment, and the city did not provide forwarding contact information for him. The city council is scheduled to discuss the claim at a special closed-door meeting tomorrow at 9 a.m.
