Lawmaker Caught Shoplifting Issues An Apology
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A California lawmaker who pleaded no contest last week to charges that she shoplifted from a San Francisco department store has issued an apology.
In her first public statement about the incident, Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi called it a "painful experience" but said Monday she wanted to "offer apologies, not excuses."
Hayashi was arrested last October after security cameras caught her walking out of a Neiman Marcus store with clothing that wasn't paid for. She pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of grand theft and was sentenced to probation.
The Castro Valley Democrat says she unintentionally walked out of the store without paying.
Hayashi says "a number of personal factors" contributed to her absentmindedness, including a benign brain tumor that's she being treated for. But she insists that she's taking full responsibility for her actions.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
