Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken faces allegations from her chief of staff involving a racial slur, comments about sexual orientation and workplace treatment.
The allegations stem from a confidential four-page letter that attorney Lawrence Lennemann sent to Anaheim City Attorney Robert Fabela on September 11, 2026. Lennemann represents Berenice Ballinas, Aitken’s chief of staff.
The letter seeks mediation with the city ahead of possible litigation. Anaheim has confirmed that it is reviewing the matter.
The Anaheim mayor allegations involve several incidents. One concerns an alleged racial remark that Ballinas says Aitken made more than once. Another involves a June visit to Disneyland Resort’s Club 33 and the 1901 Lounge at Disney California Adventure.
What the Allegations Say
According to Lennemann’s letter, Ballinas sometimes drove Aitken home from city functions after the mayor had consumed alcohol. “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.”
Ballinas is Mexican American and has served as Aitken’s chief of staff since December 2022.
Anaheim mayor accused of making racist, inappropriate sexual comments https://t.co/3VVtyD5CA2 pic.twitter.com/LGK9vrRZHb
— New York Post (@nypost) September 23, 2026
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The letter also describes a June visit to Disneyland Resort. According to the Los Angeles Times, Aitken and Ballinas visited Club 33 before going to the 1901 Lounge. The exclusive club costs tens of thousands of dollars in membership fees. The letter alleges that Aitken questioned Ballinas about her perceived sexual orientation in front of other people. It also alleges that Aitken made comments about a Disney employee’s perceived sexual orientation and ethnicity as well.
Lennemann’s letter states, “Mayor Aitken’s conduct was so concerning that, as a result, the City’s own business partner, Disney, suspended a third party’s Club 33 membership and at least two Disney employees separately complained about the Mayor’s conduct.”
The letter asserts that a “sustained pattern of harassment, discriminatory treatment and, most recently, retaliation” led to Ballinas receiving a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Lennemann also shared that Ballinas faced retaliation including having an approved raise withheld, being removed from the city website, and suggestions to others that she was no longer employed by the city.
Allegations Involving Former City Manager Jim Vanderpool
The letter also contains allegations involving former Anaheim City Manager Jim Vanderpool.
Lennemann alleges that Aitken and Vanderpool made repeated comments about Ballinas’ perceived sexual orientation from about 2023 through June 2026. The letter says those comments included references to Ballinas as a lesbian, questions about her romantic relationships and pressure to identify with a sexual orientation she did not claim.
Allegations around a June visit to Disneyland’s exclusive Club 33 include comments about Ballinas’ sexual orientation as well as that of Cast Members – YouTube, Inside the Magic
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It also alleges that Vanderpool pressured Ballinas to accept blame for the disappearance of a Christmas tree from another city department in 2024. The letter says a white employee had removed the tree.
Vanderpool resigned as Anaheim city manager in February 2026. His departure followed scrutiny a 2020 Lake Havasu trip that the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce paid for. State officials were investigating the matter.
Aitken Responds
Aitken addressed the matter during the Anaheim City Council meeting on September 22.
She said she was limited in what she could discuss. She asked residents to consider her record, initiatives, words and values. She also said she would participate in the city’s review of the allegations. Aitken repeated her statement in Spanish.
Anaheim mayor Ashley Aitken – YouTube, City of Anaheim
On September 25, Aitken also issued a more direct response. She denied the allegations concerning the racial slur.
Ballinas has declined to comment through her attorney. Vanderpool also did not respond to the Los Angeles Times’ request for comment, according to the newspaper.
Anaheim Begins Review
Anaheim spokesman Mike Lyster confirmed on September 23 that a review was underway. Lyster said the process remained in its early stages. He said the city expected the review to be timely and thorough while respecting the personnel process. Officials have not announced a final finding or provided a completion date.
Councilmember Natalie Meeks called for an investigation during the September 22 council meeting. Meeks said the allegations should be addressed through an investigation. She also said she would support calls for Aitken’s resignation if the allegations were substantiated.
Several residents addressed the controversy at the meeting. Some called for an investigation, while others called for Aitken to resign.
The Allegations and the 2026 Election
The controversy comes as Aitken seeks reelection as Anaheim mayor. Aitken won the mayor’s office in 2022 and is seeking a second term in the November 3, 2026, election. She faces incumbentz Dr. Imran Sharief and Alfredo Rodriguez.
The allegations have also drawn responses from other political figures. Voice of OC reported that Sharief called for the public to learn what happened and said city employees should be treated with dignity and respect.
Anaheim mayor Ashleigh Aitken – YouTube, Supervisor Katrina Foley
The Los Angeles Times reported that other local political figures also called for an investigation. The Democratic Party of Orange County, which has endorsed Aitken, said it supported a full, fair and independent investigation.
The Allegations
Anaheim mayor Ashleigh Aitken faces a review over allegations of racial slurs and sexual harassment as she runs for re-election this November. Her chief of staff Berenice Ballinas states that the inappropriate conduct occurred repeatedly during her time working with Aitken, including an incident this June at Disneyland’s Club 33.
Multiple politicians and residents are calling for transparency and answers.
What do you think of the allegations? Let us know your thoughts about Anaheim’s mayor.
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