Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken is for the first time explicitly denying calling her Chief of Staff Berenice Ballinas a racial slur amid allegations she referred to her top aide by a racist term and repeatedly questioned and commented on her perceived sexuality.
“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,” reads a statement Aitken posted on Facebook Thursday evening.
The social media post is an expansion to the brief statements she issued earlier this week saying she was limited in how she could respond to the allegations and calling on people to reflect on her record.
“Berenice remains a City employee, and because this involves an ongoing personnel matter, there are strict limits on what I can responsibly discuss publicly,” Aitken’s statement continues.
Lawrence Lennemann, Ballinas’ attorney, declined to comment.
At the same time, an investigation is underway into the allegations against the Mayor called for by Councilwoman Natalie Meeks a day after TimesOC reported on a confidential mediation letter sent to the city on behalf of Ballinas detailing alleged harassment by Aitken and former City Manager Jim Vanderpool.
“A process is underway and will involve a full, fair and independent investigation of the issues and concerns raised. Beyond that, we want to respect all involved with no additional updates to share at this time,” said City Spokesman Mike Lyster Lyster in a Friday morning email.
He did not answer questions on what that process would entail exactly, who would be conducting the investigation, how long it would take and if the results would be made public.
Aitken reiterated in her Thursday statement she would cooperate with the investigation and that she cares for Ballinas.
“I also believe that I am entitled to have these extraordinarily serious allegations evaluated on the evidence,” Aitken said.
The city has yet to publicly release the mediation letter detailing the allegations against Aitken and Vanderpool despite first amendment advocates saying the document should be able to be publicly released under state law, comparing it to a claim against the government.
Vanderpool, who could not be reached for comment, resigned near the beginning of the year amid scrutiny over his close ties to Anaheim resort interests who were a major focus of an FBI corruption probe.
The city’s latest scandal comes about a month before Aitken is up for reelection against two relatively unknown political newcomers – Dr. Imran Sharief, a physician, and Alfredo Rodriguez, a general manager of an environmental services company to be the mayor of a city where 53% of residents are Latino.
It also comes as a handful of local activists and residents called for Aitken’s resignation at Tuesday’s city council meeting and condemned her for her alleged comments.
Anaheim officials are expected to meet for their regular city council meeting on Tuesday at 5 p.m. and then again on Wednesday behind closed doors at 1 p.m. to continue to deliberate appointing a new city manager.
Editor’s note: Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken’s father, Wylie Aitken, chairs Voice of OC’s board of directors.
Hosam Elattar is a Voice of OC reporter. Contact him at helattar@voiceofoc.org.
