Anaheim mayor accused of using slurs issues blunt online response

Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken is pushing back against accusations that she called her chief of staff a “dirty Mexican,” issuing her first direct denial as the controversy threatens to engulf City Hall.

Aitken released the statement Thursday after her chief of staff, Berenice Ballinas, made the damning allegations that also claimed the mayor questioned the staffer’s sexuality during a trip to Disneyland.

“These allegations are extremely serious, and they deserve to be investigated. I did not use the racial slur attributed to me, and I have always been a champion of the LGBTQ community,” Aitken, a Democrat, said in her statement posted to Facebook.

The mayor had previously kept her comments brief, saying an ongoing personnel matter limited what she could publicly reveal.

“Berenice remains a City employee, and because this involves an ongoing personnel matter, there are strict limits on what I can responsibly discuss publicly,” Aitken added in her Thursday remarks.

“I will not violate her privacy or attack an employee who has recently experienced a serious medical issue simply to defend myself in the press.

“I welcome an investigation and will cooperate truthfully, and I believe the facts should determine what happened.

“I care about Berenice and sincerely wish her well in her recovery. I also believe that I am entitled to have these extraordinarily serious allegations evaluated on the evidence,” the statement concluded.

The allegations were laid out in a Sept. 11 mediation letter written by employment attorney Lawrence Lennemann for Ballinas and sent to Anaheim City Attorney Robert Fabela.

The letter accuses Aitken, a graduate of the University of Southern California, of using the slur while Ballinas was driving her home. Ballinas has worked with Aitken since 2022 and sometimes drove the mayor.

“On various occasions when Ms. Ballinas was forced to drive Mayor Aitkin home, Mayor Aitkin [sic] exclaimed that she did ‘not want her car driven by a dirty Mexican,’” Lennemann wrote.

The allegations go beyond the claimed slur.

Ballinas’ attorney also accused Aitken of repeatedly questioning her sexuality and making comments about sexuality and ethnicity.

One alleged episode unfolded in June during a visit to Disneyland’s exclusive Club 33 and the 1901 Lounge at California Adventure.

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According to the letter, Aitken questioned Ballinas about her sexuality in front of other people and allegedly gossiped about a Disney employee’s sexual orientation and ethnicity.

Several Disney employees reportedly complained about the mayor’s conduct. The letter also says a third party’s Club 33 membership was suspended.

Now the allegations are under investigation after Councilwoman Natalie Meeks called for a probe.

The city has not released the confidential mediation letter, despite First Amendment advocates arguing that it should be available under state law.

City spokesman Mike Lyster confirmed that an investigation is underway but did not disclose who will conduct it, how long it will take, what investigators will examine or whether the findings will be made public.

“A process is underway and will involve a full, fair and independent investigation of the issues and concerns raised. Beyond that, we want to respect all involved with no additional updates to share at this time,” Lyster told Voice of OC.

The political headache comes roughly a month before Aitken faces reelection. She is running against physician Dr. Imran Sharief and Alfredo Rodriguez, a general manager of an environmental services company.

Aitken also faced angry residents and activists at a City Council meeting this week, where several called for her resignation over the alleged comments.

Anaheim officials are scheduled to meet Tuesday at 5 p.m. for their regular council session.