Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken says she will take part in a city review of allegations made by her chief of staff, Berenice Ballinas. The review is in its early stages, and the city has not announced who is conducting it, when it might conclude or what its findings are.
What the letter alleges—and what remains unknown
The Los Angeles Times reported that attorney Lawrence Lennemann sent city officials a confidential letter on Sept. 11 on Ballinas’s behalf. Ballinas, who is Latina, is on leave from City Hall for health-related reasons, according to the account.
The letter alleges that Aitken used a racial slur more than once, including in a remark about not wanting her car driven by that term. It also alleges that Aitken questioned Ballinas about her perceived sexual orientation at Club 33 venues at Disneyland and California Adventure in June. The allegations have not been established by the city review, and no findings have been made public.
The Times also reported that the letter says Ballinas had driven Aitken home after city functions when the mayor had been drinking. Aitken has said she will cooperate with the process and urged residents to consider her record as mayor while the review proceeds.
A prior city investigation involved different allegations
Anaheim has dealt with a separate, high-profile City Hall investigation in recent years, but that episode concerned corruption questions—not the workplace allegations now facing Aitken. The Orange County Register reported that the city released a commissioned investigation into City Hall dealings on July 31, 2023. Voice of OC described it as the result of a yearlong inquiry.
That history provides context for the current calls for an independent process, but it does not establish how this review will be conducted or what it will find. The city has confirmed that a review is underway, without identifying its investigator or setting out a timetable.
Calls for accountability cross political lines
Councilmember David Peñaloza has called for a thorough, independent third-party investigation. Councilmember Natalie Meeks said the accusations should be addressed and that she would join calls for Aitken to resign if they are substantiated. Jessie Lopez, a candidate for the state Assembly, expressed support for Ballinas and called for an independent investigation; Santa Ana nonprofit Chispa urged Anaheim council members to condemn the alleged remarks.
The Democratic Party of Orange County, which has endorsed Aitken for reelection, also backed an independent review. Aitken is seeking another term in November, putting the unresolved claims into the middle of her campaign. The review’s scope, leadership and outcome remain unknown.
