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Hearing set for Hayashi on shoplifting charge
Pleasanton Assemblywoman accused of leaving Neiman Marcus with $2,445 of unpaid merchandise

by Glenn Wohltmann

A hearing is set for Nov. 15 for Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi (D-18th) on a charge of felony shoplifting after she was stopped leaving San Francisco's Neiman Marcus Union Square department store with nearly $2,500 in unpaid merchandise.

Omid Talai. a spokesman for the San Francisco District Attorney's office, said Hayashi, whose district includes part of Pleasanton, was charged with one count of grand theft stemming from the incident, which took place shortly after noon on Tuesday, Oct. 25.

A Neiman Marcus security officer stopped Hayashi at about 12:15 p.m. because she was leaving the store with three items worth $2,445 that she hadn't paid for, Talai said. The merchandise was leather pants, a black skirt and a white blouse, according to reports.

"She was transported to the Tenderloin (police) station and booked for grand theft," he said.

Hayashi spokesman Sam Singer called the incident "a mistake and misunderstanding."

He said Hayashi carries two cell phones and was texting and phoning with a bag in her hands and inadvertently stepped outdoors.

"This was not an attempt at shoplifting," he said. "The assemblywoman apologizes for the misunderstanding. She strongly believes in the justice system and hopes that this matter will be cleared up soon."

The 45-year-old Assemblywoman, whose district also includes Hayward, Castro Valley and Dublin, was arraigned in San Francisco Superior Court on Oct. 27, according to Talai, who said she pleaded not guilty and has been released on $15,000 bail.

Hayashi has served in the State Assembly since 2006 and is chairwoman of the Assembly Committee on Business, Professions and Consumer Protection, which is charged with protecting consumers.

She is married to Alameda Superior Court Judge Dennis Hayashi, who was elected in 2008.

Posted by sandy, a resident of the Amberwood/Wood Meadows neighborhood, on Nov 30, 2011 at 1:07 am

Interesting characters we elect to office...

Posted by steve, a resident of the Parkside neighborhood, on Nov 30, 2011 at 9:11 am

I wonder if she will actually show up in court or send her publicist/lawyer/enabler?

Posted by Chronicle, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Dec 1, 2011 at 8:39 am

SF Chronicle (on web) had quite an in depth article on the store following her suspicious behavior for quite some time.

We don't elect many legislators who are either bright or ethical ......ooops, what does that say about our voters?

Posted by Pleasanton Mom, a resident of the Happy Valley neighborhood, on Dec 2, 2011 at 1:43 am

What a disgrace. She needs to resign now. Instead of doing work for her constituents, she's been MIA ever since she was arrested trying to steal black leather pants a black leather skirt and a white blouse. And somehow these items ended up in a shopping bag SHE BROUGHT FROM HOME and it was just a misunderstanding. So now she's stealing from her constituents and taxpayers by collecting a generous salary and benefit package while she hides out over her other theft.

It blows me away that she has the balls to represent my fine town of Pleasanton and neighboring Dublin in anyway after this. She belongs in a orange vest picking up trash at this point. Ms. Hayashi: If you don't have enough class to resign, then please don't speak anywhere on our behalf because if you think grand theft is just a misunderstanding I assure you that you are in no way represent me or my neighbors.

I've never picketed a cause in my forty plus years. This issue will probably change that. If she's going to continue to assert she represents my community, I damn well am prepared to publicly say otherwise at her events. Who is with me? Let's teach our kids what corruptin looks like and what they can do about it. Shouldn't take that long to let her know her services are no longer desired.

A word of caution. Put your wallets in your front pockets and lock electronics in your trunks if you are headed to the upcoming zoo event. They should assign extra security if theres a Salvation Army bell ringer and kettle there You never know who might be her next victim. ICK!