{"id":483307,"date":"2026-10-03T00:24:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-03T00:24:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/483307\/"},"modified":"2026-10-03T00:24:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T00:24:10","slug":"anaheim-mayor-said-shes-sought-help-for-unhealthy-relationship-with-alcohol-in-wake-of-claim-filed-against-city-orange-county-register","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/483307\/","title":{"rendered":"Anaheim mayor said she\u2019s sought help for \u2018unhealthy relationship with alcohol\u2019 in wake of claim filed against city \u2013 Orange County Register"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following the release of a claim Thursday, Oct. 1, filed with the city by her chief of staff involving allegations of intoxication, harassment and racist remarks, Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken issued a public statement Friday that she \u201chad an unhealthy relationship with alcohol\u201d for which she has been getting help.<\/p>\n

She also repeated in the new statement that she denies the slurs being attributed to her.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThis week has been incredibly humbling, and caused me to reflect on balancing my privacy with my public life. About a year and a half ago, in June of 2025, I left a conference early to check myself into the Betty Ford Center,\u201d Aitken said in the statement posted to her Instagram page.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI realized I had an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, and needed help managing the stress and responsibilities in my life. I spent 30 days beginning a new journey of hope and recovery,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery sober journey gets rocky, and I hit a bump this past June and drank at a birthday event,\u201d she also added. \u201cI disappointed myself and committed to start again. I share this because I\u2019m not going to pretend that part of my life didn\u2019t happen simply because it is now uncomfortable for me to speak of or politically damaging to acknowledge it. I am proud that I asked for help, grateful to the people who helped me, and committed to continuing my recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n

The statement was posted an hour after Aitken\u2019s colleagues on the City Council left a Friday morning closed-door discussion of the claim lodged with the city by her chief of staff, Berenice Ballinas.\u00a0<\/a>There were no reported actions taken during the meeting, officials said afterward.<\/p>\n

The claim made public as part of the agenda item\u2019s supporting documents alleges Ballinas \u201csuffered ongoing harassment,\u201d while serving as Aitken\u2019s right-hand aide, and faced \u201cintrusive questioning concerning her perceived sexual orientation, her Mexican heritage and her Catholic faith.\u201d<\/p>\n

The claim, which outlines examples spanning October 2024 to June, alleges Aitken participated in several public events while intoxicated, including an April 2025 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, including an Orange County supervisor and Disneyland Resort representatives.<\/p>\n

Aitken said in her statement that though she has since sought help, \u201cnone of that excuses excessive alcohol consumption at conferences or locally.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut accepting responsibility for my alcohol consumption does not equate to the more serious allegations that have been made against me,\u201d she added. \u201cI have denied the slurs attributed to me, and I stand by that denial.\u201d<\/p>\n

Several councilmembers have said they support an investigation, with at least two councilmembers saying they\u2019d call for Aitken\u2019s resignation if the allegations are confirmed.<\/p>\n

The city has enlisted an independent investigator as of Thursday, Anaheim spokesperson Mike Lyster said. The investigation into the allegations \u201ccould take several months.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI welcome the independent investigation and will cooperate truthfully. Where I made mistakes, I will own them,\u201d Aitken said in her statement. \u201cAs to other allegations, I trust the evidence will bear out the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had hoped to share this on my own terms, but life had different plans for me. I regret not believing that my Anaheim community would support me, and should have given people the chance to offer their wisdom and support,\u201d Aitken said in her statement. \u201cI am not perfect. My recovery is not a straight line. I apologize to anyone burdened by my drinking, especially my family. They all deserved better from me. I vow to continue the journey and be a better leader for Anaheim.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aitken is running for a second, four-year term in the November election and faces two challengers in the bid for the mayor\u2019s seat. This week, the Anaheim Police Association suspended its endorsement of Aitken.<\/a><\/p>\n

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