Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken is confronting a highly unusual workplace complaint filed by her own chief of staff, alleging a pattern of alcohol-related incidents, inappropriate conduct and political operations that spiraled out of control.
In the 25-page filing, Chief of Staff Berenice Ballinas says Aitken appeared intoxicated at multiple city-related events, including a City Council meeting. Ballinas also alleges that, during one ride home, the mayor searched through a former city manager’s vehicle.
The complaint, made public by the city Thursday, further accuses Aitken of making offensive remarks about Ballinas’ sexuality and directing a racial slur at her.
Ballinas alleges that Aitken called her “a dirty Mexican” while former City Manager Jim Vanderpool was present.
The filing also says the mayor referred to God as “her imaginary friend.”
Aitken has previously rejected accusations that she made racist or homophobic comments.
One of the most unusual allegations involves the trip home after an April 2025 City Council meeting. Ballinas says Aitken appeared “visibly impaired by alcohol” and required a ride after the council’s closed session.
Ballinas says she drove Aitken in Vanderpool’s vehicle, where the mayor allegedly began going through the car and the former city manager’s belongings while taking photographs.
Because portions of the complaint are redacted, it remains unclear whether Aitken allegedly located anything during the search.
Ballinas describes another alleged incident at a Team Anaheim dinner, saying Aitken became physically affectionate with a person whose identity is redacted. According to the complaint, Aitken’s husband eventually took her away from the event.
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Ballinas further alleges that the mayor later knocked over a bicycle, broke its mirror and fell into the street.
She says she told Aitken’s husband that the mayor appeared to be unwell.
His alleged reply was: “Don’t we all?”
The chief of staff’s complaint alleges that the concerns about alcohol use and personal boundaries extended beyond official city gatherings.
At a June 10 birthday lunch at Disneyland’s Club 33, Ballinas says Aitken drank for several hours, continued drinking afterward and repeatedly asked Ballinas about her sexual orientation.
Ballinas alleges that later, at Disney California Adventure’s 1901 Lounge, Aitken questioned a Disney Cast Member about whether he was gay or straight and asked about his romantic life.
The filing also says Ballinas voiced concerns about a nearly $17,000 trip to Qatar, police overtime and city workers allegedly assisting with Aitken’s prayer breakfast during working hours. The Los Angeles Times’ Daily Pilot reported that the state Fair Political Practices Commission chose not to investigate the Qatar trip.
Ballinas claims that after raising those issues, she faced retaliation, including the denial of a salary increase.
The complaint comes only weeks before Aitken is scheduled to pursue reelection in November against two political newcomers.
Aitken and the Anaheim City Council are set to review the allegations during a closed session Friday morning.
Aitken’s attorney, Lawrence Lennemann, declined to discuss the allegations with the Voice of OC, saying the claim speaks for itself.
