Anaheim Mayor Accused of Racial and Sexual Slurs Against Latina Staffer
Anaheim Mayor Cindy Aitken faces allegations of racial and sexual misconduct involving her chief of staff, sparking an ongoing investigation.
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Anaheim Mayor Cindy Aitken is under scrutiny after allegations surfaced that she used racial and sexual slurs against her chief of staff, Berenice Ballinas, a Latina employee on medical leave. Employment attorney Lawrence Lennemann sent a four-page mediation demand to City Attorney Robert Fabela on September 11, detailing the claims against Aitken and former City Manager Jim Vanderpool.
Racial and Sexual Remarks Alleged
The letter alleges that Aitken repeatedly referred to Ballinas as a ‘dirty Mexican’ after forcing her to drive the mayor home from events following alcohol consumption. Lennemann claims the phrase was used multiple times and that Aitken and Vanderpool also engaged in a years-long pattern of making unwelcome comments about Ballinas’ perceived sexuality, including pressuring her to admit she was a lesbian and questioning her relationships.
Disney Incident and Employee Complaints
The letter also describes an incident at Disneyland’s Club 33 and 1901 Lounge in June, where Aitken allegedly made comments about a Disney worker’s sexuality and ethnicity. Two Disney employees reportedly complained, and a third party’s Club 33 membership was suspended. Ballinas is seeking mediation before pursuing legal action.
City Review and Mayor’s Response
Aitken responded by asking constituents to review her record and repeated the phrase in Spanish at a council meeting. She denied the allegations and stated she would cooperate with any investigation. Following public pressure for her resignation and a call for an investigation by Republican Councilwoman Natalie Meeks, Aitken posted a longer denial on Facebook, emphasizing her commitment to the LGBTQ community and Ballinas’ medical recovery.
Ongoing Investigation
A city spokesman confirmed an investigation is underway, though details about its scope, timeline, and public access remain unclear. Aitken remains on the November ballot, and the situation continues to draw attention as it unfolds.
Source: The Gateway Pundit
