Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken is facing a series of serious allegations from her chief of staff, Berenice Ballinas, including claims of regular intoxication during city business, harassment, and making racist and homophobic remarks. These accusations are detailed in a 25-page claim released by the city on Thursday. Ballinas alleges she witnessed Mayor Aitken drunk on multiple occasions, requiring her to be driven home, and claims the Mayor attempted to search the former city manager’s car while intoxicated. The city has announced an independent investigation into the claims, which are scheduled for discussion by the City Council at a special closed-door meeting tomorrow at 9 a.m.
The claim details several specific incidents of alleged misconduct. Ballinas alleges that Aitken was “visibly impaired by alcohol” at a city council meeting in April 2025 and had to be driven home after the closed session. During this drive, Ballinas claims Aitken began searching former City Manager Jim Vanderpool's vehicle and photographing its contents. Another incident recounted involves a “Team Anaheim dinner” where Ballinas observed the Mayor becoming physically affectionate with an unnamed individual. The Mayor's husband reportedly removed her from the dinner, after which Aitken allegedly pushed over a bicycle, damaging it, and then fell in the street. Ballinas claims she told the Mayor's husband that the Mayor was not okay, to which he reportedly responded, “Don't we all?”
Further allegations concern a lunch for Ballinas' birthday on June 10 of this year at Club 33, where Aitken allegedly consumed alcoholic beverages and repeatedly questioned Ballinas about her sexual orientation. Following this three-hour lunch, Ballinas claims Aitken insisted on continuing to drink and later questioned a Disney Cast Member at the 1901 Lounge about their sexuality, speaking to them in Spanish. Ballinas claims her friend's Club 33 membership was subsequently placed on hold, with Disney reportedly citing “rude, insensitive, and inappropriate remarks” made to a Cast Member as an “egregious violation.”
Beyond the drinking incidents, Ballinas alleges that both Mayor Aitken and former City Manager Vanderpool harassed her, repeatedly questioning and commenting on her sexuality. The claim states Aitken called Ballinas “a dirty Mexican” in Vanderpool’s presence and referred to God as “her imaginary friend.” Ballinas also claims to have reported conduct she believed violated the law, including concerns that the Mayor did not reimburse the Qatar embassy nearly $17,000 for a trip to the Middle Eastern country. The Los Angeles Times’ Daily Pilot previously reported that the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission declined to investigate this specific Qatar issue. Other reported concerns included alleged police overtime abuse and Aitken's alleged use of city staff to assist with her prayer breakfast during city work hours on the taxpayer's dime.
Ballinas alleges that city leadership and elected officials were aware of the Mayor's alcohol consumption and resulting behavior, but dismissed her concerns when she sought help. The claim asserts that “City leadership, officials, employees, elected officials, governmental colleagues, and outside stakeholders were well aware of the Mayor’s alcohol consumption.” It further states that senior officials “frequently minimized the circumstances” or treated it as something Ballinas was “expected to tolerate or learn to manage.” Ballinas claims the city retaliated against her for reporting her concerns, including by withholding her salary raise. The claim identifies several current staff members as witnesses to the Mayor's conduct: 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.
City spokesman Mike Lyster stated that “Anaheim takes all claims seriously,” and confirmed 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 is “looking for a comprehensive, impartial review that balances expediency with due process.”
Mayor Aitken did not respond to a request for comment on the claim Thursday morning but has previously denied allegations of hurling racist and homophobic insults. The release of these claims comes approximately one month before Aitken seeks re-election against two political newcomers in the November election. Ballinas, who has served as Aitken's chief of staff since 2022, was placed on leave in July. The Anaheim Police Union's political action committee suspended its endorsement of Aitken just days before the claim's release. Multiple city council members, including the Mayor, have called for an expedited investigation into the allegations. Councilmembers Carlos Leon and Natalie Rubalcava, who are also up for reelection, have not publicly addressed the allegations. Meanwhile, residents and local activists have called for Mayor Aitken to resign. Former City Manager Jim Vanderpool, who resigned earlier this year amid questions about his ties to Disneyland resort interests investigated by the FBI, could not be reached for comment.
