Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken is accused of drunken behavior and using a racial slur in a legal claim from her chief of staff, according to the New York Post. Berenice Ballinas alleges the mayor said she did not want a “dirty Mexican” driving her car, with then-City Manager Jim Vanderpool present. The claim places the remark at an Oct. 23, 2024 gala and also alleges a homophobic slur.
The 25-page claim, filed Sept. 21 and released by the city Thursday, says Aitken appeared “visibly impaired by alcohol” at an April 2025 City Council meeting. Ballinas alleges she then drove the mayor home in Vanderpool’s city vehicle. According to the claim, Aitken searched through his belongings and photographed them. Portions of the claim are redacted, so it does not say what Aitken allegedly found.
Ballinas also alleges the mayor pushed or knocked over a bicycle and damaged its mirror while walking back to a hotel after a Team Anaheim dinner. The claim says Aitken then fell in the street. Ballinas says she told the mayor’s husband Aitken needed help, and he allegedly replied, “Don’t we all?”
Aitken denies using the racial slur
Aitken denied the allegation in a Facebook statement last month, according to Voice of OC. “I did not use the racial slur attributed to me, and I have always been a champion of the LGBTQ community,” she said. City spokesman Mike Lyster said the city is hiring an independent, experienced investigator. “We are looking for a comprehensive, impartial review that balances expediency with due process,” he said.
The council scheduled a closed-door special meeting for Friday, Oct. 2, to discuss the claim. The outlet reported that council members have publicly called for an expedited investigation. Aitken is running for reelection on Nov. 3 against two political newcomers.
The claim alleges more incidents involving alcohol. At a June 10 birthday lunch at Disneyland’s Club 33, Ballinas says Aitken repeatedly asked about her sexual orientation, then insisted on continuing to drink after the three-hour meal. At the 1901 Lounge in Disney California Adventure, Ballinas alleges the mayor asked a Cast Member whether he was gay or straight. The claim also says Aitken once called God Ballinas’ “imaginary friend” while looking at the cross she wore.
Ballinas raises concerns about a Qatar trip as well. The claim says she advised that the mayor’s husband could not benefit from the trip, a gift to the mayor, and that his expenses had to be paid separately. She says she later obtained an itemization attributing about $16,779 in expenses to him, and that the embassy confirmed it had paid them. The state’s Fair Political Practices Commission declined to investigate the Qatar matter, according to the outlet.
The claim says Ballinas faced retaliation. She alleges the city withheld a merit raise approved July 28, 2026, and that she was forced to take leave beginning around July 31. The claim lists her title as chief policy advisor and names the City of Anaheim and Aitken. It seeks damages above $10,000. The outlet described it as a government claim, a step that can precede a lawsuit.
None of the allegations has been proven.
Published: Oct 2, 2026 01:56 pm