Anaheim Mayor Aitken accused of slur, harassment by her own chief of staff

Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken is facing allegations of harassment, discrimination and retaliation from her own chief of staff, Berenice Ballinas. The allegations surfaced weeks before Aitken went before voters seeking a second term.

According to a confidential letter from Ballinas' attorney to the Anaheim city attorney, first reported by the Los Angeles Times, Aitken allegedly told Ballinas more than once that she did "not want her car driven by a dirty Mexican" while Ballinas was driving her home from city functions. The letter also accuses the mayor of repeatedly questioning Ballinas about her perceived sexual orientation and making inappropriate comments in front of others. Ballinas' attorney is seeking mediation with the city and alleges retaliation against her client.

What the claim alleges

Ballinas has worked as Aitken's chief of staff since December 2022. Her 25-page government claim alleges harassment, discrimination and retaliation based on her perceived sexual orientation, Mexican heritage and Catholic faith, and says the city failed to respond adequately once concerns were raised, Fox News reported.

The claim alleges Aitken arrived at an April 2025 City Council meeting "visibly impaired by alcohol," after which Ballinas drove her home in then-City Manager Jim Vanderpool's city vehicle. It also says that in May 2025 at Disneyland, Aitken turned down Ballinas' offer to drive her home, allegedly saying she would not accept a ride from "a Mexican."

At a June 10, 2026, birthday lunch at Disneyland's Club 33, Aitken allegedly drank and repeatedly asked whether Ballinas was a lesbian. According to Fox News, Disney later wrote to the member whose membership was used that cast members had reported "rude, insensitive, and inappropriate remarks."

The claim says Ballinas was forced to take leave beginning around July 31, and the New York Post reported that she also alleges a salary raise was withheld. The claim also raises concerns about a nearly $17,000 trip to Qatar, police overtime and city employees allegedly helping with Aitken's prayer breakfast during work hours, according to the Post.

None of the allegations has been proven.

What Aitken and the city say

When the Times first reported the letter, Aitken had not responded publicly and city officials said they were reviewing the claims. In a Facebook statement in September, Aitken said the allegations "are extremely serious, and they deserve to be investigated," adding, "I did not use the racial slur attributed to me, and I have always been a champion of the LGBTQ community."

Anaheim says a review is underway and an independent investigation is expected. Aitken has pledged to take part. Ballinas' attorney, Lawrence Lennemann, declined to discuss the allegations with Voice of OC, saying the claim "speaks for itself," the Post reported. The mayor and council were scheduled to discuss the claim in closed session in early October.

The election

Aitken, a lawyer, was sworn in Dec. 6, 2022, as Anaheim's first female mayor. On the Nov. 3 ballot she faced two challengers, Alfredo Rodriguez and Imran Sharief.

Election-night returns posted by NBC Los Angeles showed Aitken with about 57% of the vote, Rodriguez with about 32% and Sharief with about 11%. Those results are unofficial until the count is certified.

What’s next

Anaheim says an independent investigation of the claim is expected; no timeline has been made public. Nov. 3 mayoral results remain unofficial until the count is certified.