Questions are being raised as to whether Anaheim officials will release a letter detailing allegations that Mayor Ashleigh Aitken, who is up for reelection, made racist remarks to her chief of staff and repeatedly asked her about her sexual orientation.
On Tuesday afternoon, Aitken acknowledged the controversy for the first time publicly.
“I am limited in how I may respond, but I can ask that you look to my record, my words, my initiatives and my values to inform your opinion of my character,” she said in a Tuesday statement sent to the Voice of OC by her political consultant through text message.
The letter is a document that First Amendment advocates say should be able to be released publicly under state’s public records laws, saying it’s akin to a claim against the city. Yet city officials so far haven’t made it available for public review.
It comes after TimesOC reported Monday night
It comes after TimesOC reported Monday night on a confidential mediation letter sent to the city on behalf of the Mayor’s Chief of Staff Berenice Ballinas accusing Mayor Ashleigh Aitken of making racist remarks to her and repeatedly questioning her sexuality.
The letter also alleges former City Manager Jim Vanderpool repeatedly asked about and commented on Ballinas’ perceived sexual orientation – further alleging that she was retaliated against by city officials in part by them withholding her approved raise, reported TimesOC on Monday.
Lawerence Lennemann, Ballinas’ attorney, declined to comment.
Vanderpool, who could not be reached for comment, resigned from his role earlier this year amid scrutiny over his close relationship with Anaheim resort interests.
When asked for the letter Tuesday, City Spokesman
When asked for the letter Tuesday, City Spokesman Mike Lyster told a reporter he was free to make a public records request for the document and refused to comment on the letter or allegations, saying the city was still reviewing it.
“This touches on personnel matters. We want to be respectful of all involved with nothing to add at this time as we review the letter and its contents,” he wrote. “To also respect the process, you are welcome to make a public records request for the letter.”
The city has yet to formally respond to a Voice of OC public records request for the letter on Tuesday, with Lyster not speaking to whether the letter was part of a legal complaint.
Right after publication of this article, city clerk officials confirmedpond to it within 10-days
Your request has been forwarded to City Departments
“Your request has been forwarded to City Departments for response. The City will respond to your request within 10-days,” reads the email from Edith Trejo, a management assistant in the city clerk’s office.
David Loy, Legal Director for First Amendment Coalition, said he doesn’t know of a reason under California’s public records request law to not release the letter.
“It’s not in the context of litigation. It’s antecedent litigation, basically saying we’d like to settle this. It’s analogous to a formal government claim,” he said in a Tuesday phone interview.
I do not see any plausible reason
“I do not see any plausible reason to withhold that under the California Public Records Act”
Aitken is running for reelection in November against Dr. Imran Sharief, a doctor who specializes in sleep medicine, and Alfredo Rodriguez, the general manager of an environmental services company.
In a Tuesday afternoon email statement, Sharief called the allegations troubling.
“No one should be treated differently because of their race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, especially by those entrusted with public office,” reads his statement.
Anaheim is one of the most diverse cities
“Anaheim is one of the most diverse cities in America, and our leaders have a responsibility to treat every resident and employee with dignity and respect. The people of Anaheim deserve to know the truth about what happened.”
The controversy also comes in the midst of Anaheim City Council members deliberating appointing a new city manager this week.
Anaheim officials are scheduled to hold a regular city council meeting at 5 p.m. today.
Editor’s note:Anaheim MayorAshleigh Aitken’s father, Wylie Aitken, chairs
Editor’s note:Anaheim MayorAshleigh Aitken’s father, Wylie Aitken, chairs Voice of OC’s board of directors.
Hosam Elattar is a Voice of OC reporter. Contact him at helattar@voiceofoc.org.
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