Anaheim council majority addresses mayor remark allegations

A majority of Anaheim City Council members have now publicly addressed allegations that Mayor Ashleigh Aitken made racist and homophobic remarks to her chief of staff, Voice of OC reported.

The dispute has put Anaheim city government under scrutiny as council members and residents call for due process, a faster investigation and the release of claim documents tied to the allegations.

Voice of OC reported that Councilwoman Norma Campos Kurtz said during Tuesday’s council meeting that she supported Councilwoman Natalie Meeks’ call for an expedited inquiry into the allegations involving Aitken and Berenice Ballinas, the mayor’s chief of staff.

"I stand with Councilmember Meeks in demanding an expedited investigation. If the allegations are shown to be correct, I will also ask for the Mayor’s resignation," Kurtz, an Anaheim councilwoman, said during the meeting.

Kurtz also asked for a special closed-session meeting before the next regular council meeting on October 13 to discuss litigation threats with the city attorney’s office. She requested an update on the possible public release of claim documents filed by Ballinas and on the status of the investigation, according to Voice of OC.

Aitken denied the allegations and said she wanted an independent review. "I welcome an independent investigation, I need this independent investigation to clear my name and I really welcome it because that is what a democracy is all about – you are innocent until proven guilty," Aitken said, according to Voice of OC.

Former Councilman Jose Moreno criticized Councilwoman Natalie Rubalcava, Councilman Carlos Leon and Kurtz for not speaking sooner, while Councilwoman Kristen Maahs and Councilman Ryan Balius also addressed the matter Tuesday. "There is no room for racism in our city period," Maahs said. Balius said, "I believe strongly in innocent until proven guilty."

Voice of OC reported that Rubalcava and Leon did not publicly address the issue during Tuesday night’s meeting. The publication also noted that Aitken, Rubalcava and Leon are on the ballot in November, and that Aitken’s father, Wylie Aitken, chairs Voice of OC’s board of directors.

The investigation and any decision on releasing Ballinas’ claim documents remain pending, according to Voice of OC.