Watching yet another Anaheim mayor become engulfed in scandal is not something we had expected so soon after Mayor Harry Sidhu stepped down in 2022 after the FBI revealed bribery allegations involving the now-scuttled sale of Angel Stadium. Mayor Ashleigh Aitken’s problems are far less severe, but once again the city is left with a leadership void. It’s hard to know how the city can go forward amid the maelstrom surrounding City Hall.
As the Register explained, an attorney representing Aitken’s chief of staff Berenice Ballinas filed a complaint alleging “ongoing harassment,” and said Ballinas faced “intrusive questioning concerning her perceived sexual orientation, her Mexican heritage and her Catholic faith.” The complaint accuses Aitken of using slurs and of drunkenness. For her part, Aitken adamantly denies using slurs, but admits seeking help at the Betty Ford Clinic for her “unhealthy relationship with alcohol.”
The city hired an outside investigator, which Aitken welcomes. That’s reasonable and strong opinions should be reserved pending the outcome of the investigation. We are also sympathetic to her willingness to deal with her problem, but the Register reports that allegations include intoxication at a “City Council meeting, a Disneyland 70th Anniversary event, during which she was interviewed on television, and several luncheons where her conduct allegedly prompted concern and comments from public officials.”
Her response to the controversy has sometimes been inexplicable, as she rejected a meeting with Latino groups if former Councilman Jose Moreno attends.
We can’t detect sinister political motives for the attacks. Aitken has governed as a competent, moderate Democrat and hasn’t garnered much partisan rancor. She’s in the midst of an election, which would typically raise red flags, but her opponents are two political unknowns. So this will no doubt all shake out after November 3. Whatever the merits of the allegations, it’s clear that Aitken has at least for now lost the ability to lead.
That’s too bad, as Anaheim has big issues to confront in the coming years, most prominently the fate of city-owned Angel Stadium. The last thing the city needs is another ugly diversion.