Anaheim mayor faces 25-page claim alleging intoxication, slurs, and retaliation

Key points

• A 25-page claim filed by chief of staff Berenice Ballinas alleges Mayor Ashleigh Aitken engaged in harassment, discrimination, and retaliation based on Ballinas's Mexican heritage, Catholic faith, and perceived sexual orientation.
• The claim details multiple incidents of alleged public intoxication, including an April 2025 City Council meeting where Aitken allegedly searched through former City Manager Jim Vanderpool's vehicle and took photos of his belongings.
• Ballinas alleges Aitken used the racial slur 'dirty Mexican' and made intrusive comments about her sexuality, including at a June 2026 birthday lunch at Disneyland's Club 33, which reportedly led to Disney suspending the host's membership.
• The claim asserts the city failed to act on reported concerns and retaliated against Ballinas by withholding a salary raise and removing her profile from the city website after she took leave in July.
• Aitken denies using the racial slur and states she has always supported the LGBTQ community, while pledging to cooperate with an independent investigation expected to begin in the coming months.

Background

This controversy arises as Aitken seeks reelection in November 2026. The allegations follow a period of internal city turmoil, including the resignation of former City Manager Jim Vanderpool in February 2026 amid questions regarding his ties to Disneyland interests. The claim highlights a breakdown in city leadership, with Ballinas alleging that senior officials minimized the mayor's conduct and treated her concerns as something she was expected to tolerate.

How outlets are covering it

Fox News and the New York Post emphasize the sensational nature of the allegations, focusing on the specific incidents of public intoxication and the alleged racial slur. Voice of OC provides a broader context, noting that the claim alleges a 'culture of booze and bedlam' and that city leaders were aware of the behavior but failed to act. The Orange County Register highlights the procedural aspects, noting that the claim was released with limited redactions for a closed-door council meeting and that the state Fair Political Practices Commission declined to investigate a related Qatar trip expense issue. All outlets agree that Aitken has denied the core allegations of racism and homophobia while accepting the need for an independent review.

Why it matters

The claim threatens Aitken's reelection campaign and raises serious questions about the integrity of Anaheim's city leadership. If the allegations are substantiated, they could lead to significant political fallout, including calls for resignation from council members and potential legal consequences for the mayor and city officials who allegedly failed to address the misconduct.

What to watch

An independent investigator is expected to be finalized soon to review the claims over the next few months. The Anaheim City Council is scheduled to discuss the matter in a closed session. Aitken will face two challengers in the November 3 election, with ballots set to go out next week. The Anaheim Police Association has already suspended its endorsement of the mayor pending the outcome of the investigation.