Anaheim mayor faces calls for release of letter alleging racist and homophobic comments
Mayor Ashleigh Aitken has been accused of making racist remarks and probing her chief of staff’s sexuality, and officials have not yet released the mediation letter detailing the claims.
A mediation letter filed by Berenice Ballinas, the mayor’s chief of staff, claims that Mayor Ashleigh Aitken directed racist comments toward her and persistently asked about her sexual orientation. The same letter alleges that former City Manager Jim Vanderpool also made remarks about Ballinas’ perceived sexuality and participated in retaliation by blocking her approved salary increase. City Hall spokesperson Mike Lyster invited reporters to request the letter under California’s public-records law but said the city is still reviewing its contents.
Aitken, who acknowledged the controversy in a brief statement, urged voters to judge her by her record and values. The dispute comes amid her November reelection campaign against sleep-medicine doctor Imran Sharief and environmental-services executive Alfredo Rodriguez, and while the council is selecting a new city manager.
Why it matters
The case raises questions about transparency, discrimination in local government, and could influence Anaheim’s upcoming mayoral election.
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