January 1, California Mayor Under Fire for Alleged Drunken Outbursts and Racial Slurs

Wyatt’s Take

• Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken faces serious accusations from her own chief of staff, including claims of drunken behavior at public events and offensive racial remarks.
• The allegations center on repeated harassment tied to the staffer’s Mexican heritage, Catholic faith, and perceived sexual orientation, with the city accused of turning a blind eye.
• This story is another reminder that local leaders must be held to the same standards of decency and accountability as anyone else.

Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken is facing a fresh wave of accusations after her chief of staff filed a 25-page government claim alleging repeated misconduct on the job.

Berenice Ballinas, who has worked in the mayor’s office since December 2022, claims she endured harassment, discrimination, and retaliation over her Mexican heritage, Catholic faith, and perceived sexual orientation.

According to the filing, the city failed to properly respond after Ballinas raised concerns about the mayor’s conduct.

The claim details several alleged incidents involving alcohol, including a City Council meeting in April 2025 where Ballinas says the mayor appeared visibly impaired.

Ballinas alleges she had to drive Aitken home in a city vehicle afterward and says the mayor began searching through personal belongings and taking photographs without permission.

“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 said in a Facebook statement last month.

The claim further accuses Aitken of making multiple derogatory comments about Ballinas’s Mexican heritage, including referring to her as a “dirty Mexican.”

Ballinas also describes an incident at Disneyland in May 2025 when she offered to drive the mayor home, believing she was too intoxicated to drive safely. Aitken allegedly refused, saying she would not let “a Mexican” drive her.

Another alleged episode occurred during a team dinner when Aitken reportedly became physically affectionate with another person, leading her husband to remove her from the event.

Ballinas says Aitken later knocked over a bicycle and fell in the street before her husband asked Ballinas to make a Venmo payment to the bicycle’s owner.

The claim also describes a June 2026 birthday lunch at Disneyland’s Club 33 where Aitken allegedly consumed alcohol and repeatedly questioned Ballinas about whether she was a lesbian.

Disney later sent written correspondence noting that cast members reported “rude, insensitive, and inappropriate remarks” during the outing.

Ballinas says she was forced to take leave beginning around July 31 and alleges retaliation after reporting the behavior.

Anaheim officials say a review of the allegations is underway. Aitken has pledged to participate in the process while seeking re-election on November 3.

Wyatt Matters

Families in Middle America expect their elected officials to serve with integrity, not create chaos in city hall. Voters deserve leaders who put people first, not personal drama and division.