Berenice Ballinas’ attorney alleges a pattern of harassment and discrimination and is seeking mediation before possible litigation
Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken was accused Monday of repeatedly using a racial slur toward her chief of staff and questioning her sexuality in a confidential mediation request sent to city officials, with the aide’s attorney seeking to resolve allegations of harassment, discrimination and retaliation before possible litigation.
Ballinas’ attorney, Lawrence Lennemann, alleged that Chief of Staff Berenice Ballinas sometimes drove Aitken home from city functions and that the mayor made the derogatory remark on multiple occasions.
“Mayor Aitkin [sic] exclaimed that she did ‘not want her car driven by a dirty Mexican,’” Lennemann said in the letter.
The letter also accused Aitken and former Anaheim City Manager Jim Vanderpool of repeatedly making unwelcome comments about Ballinas’ perceived sexual orientation beginning in 2023 and continuing through June. Vanderpool did not respond to the Times’ request for comment.
Lennemann described the alleged comments about Ballinas’ sexuality as recurring conduct by both officials.
“Mayor Aitken and Mr. Vanderpool repeatedly and habitually made unwelcome comments regarding Ms. Ballinas’ perceived sexuality,” Lennemann said.
The letter also alleged that Aitken made comments about a Disney employee’s perceived sexuality and ethnicity during a June outing involving Disneyland’s Club 33 and the 1901 Lounge. Lennemann claimed Disney employees complained about the mayor’s conduct and that a third party’s Club 33 membership was suspended. Disney’s public Club 33 page describes it as a private membership club.
Aitken did not respond to calls or texts from the Times. Anaheim spokesman Mike Lyster said the city was examining the allegations. The city’s website continued to list Ballinas as Aitken’s chief of staff Tuesday.
“We’re reviewing the issues raised,” Lyster said. “We want to respect all involved with nothing else to share at this time.”
Aitken, a Democrat, is seeking another four-year term in Anaheim’s officially nonpartisan mayoral election. The city’s official candidate list shows Aitken facing Imran Sharief and Alfredo Rodriguez on Nov. 3.
