Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi is facing charges on allegations that she shoplifted more than $2,000 in merchandise from a high-end retailer in San Francisco, according to a San Francisco Chronicle report.
Prosecutors told the Chronicle that the Castro Valley Democrat was caught on camera Tuesday shoplifting at the Union Square Neiman Marcus store. She pleaded not guilty to a felony grand theft charge at a Thursday arraignment hearing.
The Chronicle's Matier and Ross report:
Hayashi, 45, who has served in the Assembly since 2006 -- and is married to Alameda Superior Court Judge Dennis Hayashi -- was arraigned Thursday in San Francisco Superior Court. She had earlier posted $15,000 bail.
Hayashi was stopped by Neiman Marcus' security detail shortly after leaving the store around 12:15 p.m. Tuesday with a shopping bag that included three items worth $2,450 that she hadn't paid for when she checked out at the register, the district attorney's office said.
Prosecutors did not specify what the items were, but a source familiar with the case tells us they included a leather skirt.
Hayashi was questioned by police and eventually charged with one count of felony theft. She pleaded not guilty Thursday before Judge Samuel Feng and is due back in court Nov. 15 to set a preliminary hearing.
Hayashi's spokesman was not immediately available for comment.
Click here to read the full Chronicle post.
Photo Credit: Mary Hayashi, 2010. The Sacramento Bee/Paul Kitagaki, Jr.
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