Berenice Ballinas, the chief of staff to Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitkens, has made — via a letter her attorney sent to City Hall this month — some stunning workplace allegations about her boss.
The four-page letter, according to this detailed report by my TimesOC colleague Gabriel San Román, seeks mediation with the city.
“On various occasions when Ms. Ballinas was forced to drive Mayor Aitkin [sic] home, Mayor Aitkin [sic] exclaimed that she did ‘not want her car driven by a dirty Mexican,’” employment attorney Lawrence Lennemann wrote in the letter that was addressed to Anaheim City Atty. Robert Fabela.
Further, the reporter writes, “Aitken questioned her chief of staff’s sexuality in front of other people, the letter claims. She also allegedly made comments about a Disney worker’s perceived sexual orientation and ethnicity.”
Readers may remember that former Anaheim city manager Jim Vanderpool resigned earlier this year
in a cloud of controversy. Vanderpool’s name also comes up in the letter:
“Beginning in or about 2023 … Mayor Aitken and Mr. Vanderpool repeatedly and habitually made unwelcome comments regarding Ms. Ballinas’ perceived sexuality, including myriad statements and insinuations that she is a lesbian, directly referring to her as a lesbian, pressuring her to admit that she was a lesbian, questioning of her romantic relationships, and comments directed at her guests and companions.”
It’s unquestionably an awkward time for these allegations to become public, as Aitken, the first female mayor in Anaheim’s storied history, is seeking a second term in the November election. We do not yet know her reaction to the letter, as she did not return our reporter’s emails or texts seeking comment.
The city attorney could not be reached, but city spokesperson Mike Lyster did respond to the reporter.
“We’re reviewing the issues raised,” Lyster said. “We want to respect all involved with nothing else to share at this time.”
MORE NEWS 
An olive ridley sea turtle is seen burying her eggs in the sands of Huntington Beach on Sunday. The spot, and another in Seal Beach, are reportedly the first documented sea turtle nests on the U.S. West Coast.
(City of Huntington Beach)
‘A huge deal’: Sea turtle eggs found in Huntington Beach, Surfside
For the first time, olive ridley sea turtle nests have been made in Huntington Beach and the Surfside area of Seal Beach. Quick-thinking lifeguards who spotted the turtle burying her eggs last week created barriers around the nests.
“This is the first-ever recorded natural nesting for any sea turtle species on the U.S. West Coast” the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration posted on social media Monday. “We urge beach goers to steer clear and not disturb the sites.”
Statewide emergency declared ahead of projected epic El Niño storms
The county of Orange, as well as the cities of Laguna Beach, Dana Point and San Clemente declared local emergencies following the battering the coastline took from high surf earlier this month, and now Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a statewide emergency ahead of the coming El Niño.
According to this Times report, there’s a 75% chance this El Niño will be stronger than any since 1950.
West Nile virus infects multiple O.C. residents
At least 18 Orange County residents from several different cities have been infected with West Nile virus by mosquitoes over the past few muggy months, compared to just four last year.
Trucks are spraying affected areas with a larvicide that kills developing mosquitoes before they reproduce, a spokesperson for Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District said.
Costa Mesa approves Fairview plan
A plan that will guide future housing projects on 80 acres of the state-owned Fairview Developmental Center grounds was approved unanimously by the Costa Mesa City Council at its meeting last week. In addition to open space and some commercial development there, the plan allows for up to 2,300 units of housing.
Country Club eyed for future housing development
In other news related to building more residences, planning commissioners last week voted to recommend the Newport Beach City Council approve a proposed 78-unit housing development on Newport Beach Country Club land.
Border Protection surveillance tower shelved in San Clemente
Although at the beginning of this year, the San Clemente City Council approved a controversial five-year contract with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to install a surveillance tower to monitor the shoreline for migrants, those plans are now on hold.
Huntington Beach certified as state’s first sensory inclusive destination
In recognition of efforts it has made toward sensory accessibility, the city of Huntington Beach received special certification from the nonprofit KultureCity. It’s the first municipality in California to receive the recognition.
Sports roundup 
Angels starting pitcher Ryan Johnson throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in Anaheim. The Twins won, 8-0.
(Caroline Brehman / Ap Photo/caroline Brehman)
Angels shut out in final home game of Moreno era
The Minnesota Twins enjoyed an 8-0 victory over the Angels in Anaheim Stadium on Sunday, likely the Halos’ last home game under Arte Moreno, who intends to sell the team to Rams owner Stan Kroenke before next season begins.
Spoiler alert: This week’s rankings show Santa Margarita (5-0) as No. 1 in The Times’ Top 25 of Southland high school football teams.
You may have already guessed that the Oilers can be found on The Times’ top 25 list mentioned above, but did you know that with last week’s win it was the first time since 1998 that HBHS could boast a 5-0 record?
Newport Harbor wins third straight South Coast Tournament
The Sailors’ water polo team enjoyed a pair of impressive comeback victories, winning the South Coast Tournament for the third straight year.
Surf City 10 draws record 10,000 runners
Surf City 10, Orange County’s oldest race of any distance, according to this Daily Pilot story, celebrated its 70th birthday Sunday with a record turnout.
4 Things to do in OC
🎼 Reserve your seat to see Disney’s North American tour of the musical “Beauty and the Beast,” which opened last night at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa for a limited three-week run.
🪣 Gather plastic buckets, shovels, molds and anything else you need to build a winning entry in the 64th annual Sandcastle Contest at Big Corona State Beach, which takes place this Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sign up here to participate.
🖼️ Pay a visit to the new location of the William Merrill Gallery in Laguna Beach, a longtime art gallery that in recent years conducted its business online only. But it’s back in a brick-and-mortar building, at 2950 South Coast Hwy. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and by appointment.
👻 “Explore the unexplained” by taking the Kellogg House Ghost Tour at the Victorian mansion on the grounds of Heritage Museum of O.C. You can book your tour online here.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Thanks for reading this week’s newsletter! Please feel free to reach out with comments or questions at carol.cormaci@latimes.com.