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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [POLITICS]

2 clusters · 5 sources · 4 days · First seen 5 days ago · Last updated about 22 hours ago

Allegations of misconduct against Anaheim Mayor

Overview

Berenice Ballinas, chief of staff for Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken, filed a confidential mediation request alleging that the mayor used a racial slur and made inappropriate inquiries regarding Ballinas’s sexual orientation. The allegations, detailed in a letter from attorney Lawrence Lennemann, also claimed that former City Manager Jim Vanderpool made unwelcome comments regarding Ballinas’s perceived sexual orientation and that she faced retaliation, such as the withholding of an approved raise.

Mayor Aitken, who is seeking reelection, issued a statement through a political consultant asking the public to judge her based on her “record, words, initiatives and values.” She later released a direct denial via Facebook, asserting her support for the LGBTQ community and denying the use of a slur. The City of Anaheim has confirmed that a review of the matter is in its early stages.

Entities

Ashleigh Aitken · Berenice Ballinas · Lawrence Lennemann · Robert Fabela · Anaheim

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Chief of Staff Berenice Ballinas alleges Mayor Ashleigh Aitken used a racial slur against her. offthepress.com · theliberaloc.com · nypost.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Ballinas alleges the mayor made inappropriate comments regarding her sexual orientation. offthepress.com · theliberaloc.com · nypost.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Aitken stated she will cooperate with an investigation into the allegations. offthepress.com · theliberaloc.com · nypost.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The allegations were detailed in a mediation letter sent on September 11 to the Anaheim City Attorney. offthepress.com · theliberaloc.com · nypost.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Mayor Ashleigh Aitken denied using the racial slur attributed to her. offthepress.com · nypost.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The City of Anaheim has confirmed that a review of the matter is in its early stages. theliberaloc.com

Timeline

about 22 hours ago

[POLITICS] 3 sources
Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken denies racial slur allegations
Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken has denied allegations from her chief of staff, Berenice Ballinas, regarding the use of racial slurs and inappropriate comments about her sexual orientation.
5 days ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
Anaheim Mayor accused of racist remarks and inappropriate sexual orientation inquiries
Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken faces allegations from her chief of staff, Berenice Ballinas, involving racist remarks and inappropriate questioning regarding her sexual orientation.

Sources

dailypilot.com · nypost.com · offthepress.com · theliberaloc.com · voiceofoc.org