Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken faces grave allegations of misconduct, according to a 25-page government claim filed by her chief of staff that details accusations of repeated intoxication at official events, racially derogatory language, and harassment.
Berenice Ballinas, who has served as chief of staff in Mayor Aitken’s office since December 2022, has brought forward serious charges of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. The complaint alleges that Ballinas was targeted based on her perceived sexual orientation, Mexican heritage, and Catholic faith. Furthermore, the filing contends that city officials failed to respond adequately when concerns were initially raised.
The allegations paint a troubling picture of conduct unbecoming of a public official. According to the claim, Mayor Aitken appeared at an April 2025 City Council meeting visibly impaired by alcohol. Following a closed session, Ballinas states she drove the mayor home in then-City Manager Jim Vanderpool’s city vehicle. During that approximately 15-minute journey, Aitken allegedly began searching through Vanderpool’s vehicle and personal belongings while photographing items with her cellphone. Ballinas reports objecting to this behavior and instructing the mayor to delete the photographs, citing privacy concerns.
The most serious allegations involve racially derogatory language. The claim states that Mayor Aitken made multiple disparaging comments about Ballinas’ Mexican heritage, including referring to her as a “dirty Mexican.” In a separate incident at Disneyland in May 2025, Ballinas offered to drive the mayor after determining Aitken was too intoxicated to drive safely. According to the complaint, Aitken declined the offer, stating she refused to have “a Mexican” drive her.
Mayor Aitken has issued a statement denying certain aspects of the allegations while acknowledging their gravity. She stated that the accusations are extremely serious and deserve investigation, but specifically denied using the racial slur attributed to her. The mayor emphasized her record as a champion of the LGBTQ community.
The city of Anaheim has indicated that an independent investigation into these allegations is expected to proceed. Such investigations are standard procedure when government claims of this nature are filed, particularly those involving discrimination and harassment by elected officials.
This case raises significant questions about leadership accountability in municipal government. The allegations span multiple incidents over an extended period, suggesting a pattern of behavior rather than isolated occurrences. The claim also implicates city administrative procedures, alleging that proper protocols were not followed when concerns were initially brought forward.
For Anaheim, a city of over 350,000 residents and home to major tourist attractions, the allegations represent a serious challenge to public confidence in municipal leadership. The outcome of the independent investigation will likely have substantial implications for Mayor Aitken’s political future and the city’s governance structure.
The complaint underscores the importance of workplace protections for government employees and the mechanisms available when those protections are allegedly violated. As this matter proceeds through official channels, residents and observers will be watching closely to see how the city handles allegations against its highest elected official.
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