Chief of staff Berenice Ballinas alleges Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken called her a “dirty Mexican” and questioned her sexuality. Aitken denied using the racial slur, said she welcomes an investigation and will cooperate in the ongoing personnel matter.
Ballinas’ attorney sent a Sept. 11 letter to City Hall. It alleged that Aitken and former city manager Jim Vanderpool made repeated unwanted remarks about Ballinas’ perceived sexuality from around 2023, including calling her a lesbian and pressing her to acknowledge it. The letter also accused Aitken of commenting on a Disneyland worker’s perceived sexual orientation and ethnicity, and said Vanderpool joined in the harassment of Ballinas.
Aitken’s Facebook statement said Ballinas remains a city employee and that the ongoing personnel matter limits what she can discuss publicly. Aitken said Ballinas recently experienced a serious medical issue and that she would not violate her privacy or attack her. Aitken, a Democrat, is up for reelection next month. The New York Post reported that residents called for her resignation at a recent City Council meeting.
