Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken is facing an extraordinary workplace complaint filed by her own chief of staff, alleging a pattern of excessive drinking, inappropriate conduct and politically charged behavior that spiraled out of control.
Chief of Staff Berenice Ballinas alleges that Aitken repeatedly appeared intoxicated at city-related events, including a City Council meeting. She also claims the mayor once rummaged through a former city manager’s vehicle while being driven home.
The 25-page complaint, released by the city Thursday, accuses Aitken of making offensive comments about Ballinas’ sexuality and directing a racial slur at her.
Ballinas alleges that Aitken called her “a dirty Mexican” in the presence of former City Manager Jim Vanderpool.
The complaint also says the mayor referred to God as “her imaginary friend.”
Aitken has previously denied making racist or homophobic comments.
One of the drinking-related allegations centers on an April 2025 City Council meeting. Ballinas says Aitken appeared “visibly impaired by alcohol” and required a ride after the meeting’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 personal belongings while taking photographs.
Because portions of the complaint are redacted, it remains unclear whether Aitken allegedly discovered anything during the search.
In another incident described in the filing, Ballinas says Aitken’s husband stepped in during a Team Anaheim dinner after the mayor became physically affectionate with a person whose identity was redacted.
Ballinas further alleges that Aitken knocked over a bicycle, damaged its mirror and then fell into the street.
She says she told the mayor’s husband that Aitken was not doing well.
His alleged reply, according to Ballinas: “Don’t we all?”
The chief of staff says the alleged drinking and boundary issues extended beyond official city events.
At a June 10 birthday lunch at Disneyland’s Club 33, Ballinas alleges that Aitken drank for several hours, continued drinking afterward and repeatedly asked about Ballinas’ sexual orientation.
Later, at the 1901 Lounge inside Disney California Adventure, Ballinas says Aitken directed similar questions at a Disney Cast Member, asking whether he was gay or straight and about his dating life.
Ballinas also says she questioned a nearly $17,000 trip to Qatar, police overtime and allegations that city employees assisted with Aitken’s prayer breakfast during working hours. The Los Angeles Times’ Daily Pilot reported that the state Fair Political Practices Commission declined to investigate the Qatar trip.
The chief of staff alleges that she later faced retaliation, including the withholding of a salary increase.
The complaint was filed just weeks before Aitken is scheduled to seek reelection in November against two political newcomers.
Aitken and the City Council are scheduled to review the allegations in a closed-door meeting Friday morning.
Aitken’s attorney, Lawrence Lennemann, declined to discuss the allegations with the Voice of OC, saying the claim speaks for itself.