Anaheim councilmembers are scheduled for a closed-door meeting Friday morning, Oct. 2, to discuss a claim filed by Mayor Ashleigh Aitken’s chief of staff alleging harassment, racist remarks and retaliation and a “failure” by city administration “to take corrective action.”
The Sept. 21 claim was submitted by attorney Lawrence Lennemann, who represents Aitken’s chief of staff Berenice Ballinas. It alleges Ballinas “suffered ongoing harassment,” faced “intrusive questioning concerning her perceived sexual orientation, her Mexican heritage and her Catholic faith” and that when Ballinas made disclosures to city leaders, they were not kept private as would be required by law, she experienced retaliation and the city failed to investigate and take action.
Ballinas has served as Aitken’s chief of staff since December 2022. Ballinas is on leave of absence beginning on or about July 31, according to the claim.
The 25-page claim outlines more than a dozen examples of the experiences Ballinas is alleging occurred — including having to navigate “a recurring pattern of the mayor’s alcohol consumption” — spanning October 2024 to June 2026.
“Monitoring, responding to, and performing damage control arising from the mayor’s alleged alcohol-related conduct consequently became a recurring, substantial, and exceptionally stressful component of claimant’s working life,” the claim alleges, adding Ballinas was wedged between a “growing feud” between the mayor and then City Manager Jim Vanderpool, which “complicated her ability to determine where and how to report legitimate workplace concerns.”
Vanderpool served as Anaheim’s city manager for six years until resigning in February.
Aitken did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday, but in a recent statement posted to her Facebook page, she said, “I did not use the racial slur attributed to me, and I have always been a champion of the LGBTQ community.”
The claim was included in the supporting documents the city included with the agenda posted Thursday for Friday’s special closed session.
“We have shared a claim as part of a special City Council closed session meeting agenda. In doing so, Anaheim is balancing openness on an issue involving the city’s mayor and our responsibility to all involved. The released claim includes limited redactions reflecting our obligation to protect personnel, medical and some third-party name references that raise privacy concerns, along with attorney-client information,” city spokesperson Mike Lyster said Thursday morning.
“Anaheim takes all claims seriously. Our process is moving forward, with the engagement of an independent, experienced investigator expected to be finalized soon,” Lyster said. “An independent investigation is expected to take place over the next few months. We are looking for a comprehensive, impartial review that balances expediency with due process. Beyond that, we want to respect all involved and will share any additional updates as appropriate.”
Additional Anaheim councilmembers called this week for an investigation into the allegations, and at least two councilmembers have said they’d ask for the mayor’s resignation if the allegations were found true. Councilmember Natalie Meeks was the first to raise concerns during a council meeting last week.
“I stand with Councilmember Meeks in demanding an expedited investigation,” Councilmember Kurtz said during Tuesday’s council meeting.
“If the allegations are shown to be correct, I will also ask for the Mayor’s resignation,” Kurtz said, later calling for a closed-door meeting for councilmembers to review the allegations.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Aitken reiterated that she welcomes an independent investigation.
“I need this independent investigation to clear my name and I really welcome it because that is what a democracy is all about,” she said. “You are innocent until proven guilty.”
This week the Anaheim Police Association suspended its endorsement of Aitken, saying in a statement, “The decision follows the emergence of serious allegations concerning statements and conduct attributed to Mayor Aitken involving a city employee.”
This is a developing story, please check back for updates.