Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken is facing a lawsuit accusing her of calling her chief of staff a "dirty Mexican." The legal action, filed by a lawyer for Berenice Ballinas, alleges a "sustained pattern of harassment, discriminatory treatment and, most recently, retaliation" against Ballinas while she was performing her job duties.
The legal claim details several alleged incidents that Ballinas claimed occurred when Mayor Aitken was supposedly under the influence of alcohol during city business. These incidents are described as taking place at various Anaheim landmarks, including Disneyland’s Club 33 and Angel Stadium. A particularly strong allegation in the claim states that Aitken once referred to Ballinas as a “dirty Mexican” in the presence of then-city attorney Jim Vanderpool. The claim further alleges that Aitken, while described as "tired and emotional," also stated she did not want "a Mexican" like Ballinas to drive her car.
Mayor Aitken, a Democrat seeking reelection, has publicly denied the accusations in an official statement and during a recent city council meeting. However, she admitted on Instagram to having an "unhealthy relationship" with alcohol and told CBS Los Angeles that Ballinas was "somebody who I thought was my right-hand person."
Following a closed session on Friday, the Anaheim City Council announced its decision to launch an independent investigation into Ballinas’ allegations. This development comes as the allegations against Mayor Aitken are being discussed within the context of Orange County's political history regarding anti-Mexican sentiment.
Historical examples cited in discussions of this context include past events such as Proposition 187, the deployment of poll guards, and attempts to grant local police immigration-enforcement powers. Specific instances from Orange County's past that have been mentioned include then-Orange County supervisor Ronald Caspers referring to Mexican American county employees as “bandidos” in a 1972 meeting, while also suggesting the county seat be moved from Santa Ana due to what he termed a lack of "normal ethnic balance." In 2003, Newport Beach council member Dick Nichols reportedly opposed expanding grassy areas at Corona del Mar State Beach, stating that Mexicans claimed these areas as their own. Anaheim’s own history includes segregated schools, parks, and swimming pools until the 1950s. The Anaheim Union High School District board of trustees also voted in 1999 to sue Mexico for $50 million over the education of undocumented immigrant children.
Local activists have reportedly called for Mayor Aitken's resignation in response to the allegations. However, the source notes that the "O.C.’s ascending liberal machine" is not demanding her resignation in the same way they might for a Republican official. Mayor Aitken, despite the ongoing investigation, gave the opening remarks at the Orange County Labor Federation’s annual Solidarity Awards gala on Friday night, where she was reportedly met with cheers.
