Chief of staff Berenice Ballinas, who has worked for Mayor Ashleigh Aitken since December 2022, filed a 25‑page government claim alleging a pattern of harassment, discrimination and retaliation. The claim asserts that the mayor repeatedly appeared intoxicated at city functions, used a derogatory term referring to Ballinas’s Mexican heritage, and asked intrusive questions about her perceived sexual orientation and Catholic faith.
Alleged incidents
According to the filing, Aitken arrived at a City Council meeting in April 2025 appearing “visibly impaired by alcohol.” After a closed session, Ballinas says she drove the mayor home in City Manager Jim Vanderpool’s vehicle. During the roughly 15‑minute ride, the claim alleges Aitken searched through Vanderpool’s personal belongings and took photographs with her cellphone. Ballinas says she asked the mayor to delete the photos, citing privacy concerns.
The claim also alleges that Aitken called Ballinas a “dirty Mexican” on multiple occasions, including an incident at Disneyland in May 2025. Ballinas says she offered to drive the mayor home after observing signs of intoxication, but Aitken declined, stating she would not be driven by “a Mexican.”
Ballinas further describes an episode at a team dinner where she observed Aitken becoming physically affectionate with another individual, leading the mayor’s husband to remove her from the event. While walking back toward the hotel, Ballinas says Aitken knocked over a bicycle, damaging its mirror, and later fell in the street. When Ballinas alerted the mayor’s husband that Aitken needed assistance, he responded, “Don’t we all?”
Questions about sexuality
The filing alleges that Aitken repeatedly questioned Ballinas about whether she was a lesbian during a birthday lunch at Disneyland’s Club 33 on June 10, 2026, and later at the 1901 Lounge, where Aitken is said to have asked a Disney cast member about his sexual orientation and dating life. Disney later sent a written notice stating that cast members reported “rude, insensitive, and inappropriate remarks” during the outing.
Mayor’s response and city review
Mayor Aitken has denied using the alleged slur and said the accusations are “extremely serious” and deserve a thorough investigation. In a statement posted to Facebook, she said, “I have always been a champion of the LGBTQ community.” The city of Anaheim confirmed that a review of the allegations is underway and that the mayor has pledged to cooperate with the process.
Ballinas says she was forced to take leave beginning around July 31 and alleges retaliation after reporting conduct she believed violated workplace rules. The claim also accuses the city of failing to respond adequately after concerns were raised.
Political context
Aitken is seeking re‑election in the November 3 mayoral race. The allegations come as the city prepares for the upcoming election, and local residents are watching closely to see how the review will impact the campaign.
The city has not released further details about the investigation timeline. Residents who wish to learn more about the process are encouraged to attend upcoming city council meetings where the matter may be discussed.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
