Friday, January 6, 2012
BREAKING NEWS: Assemblywoman Blames Brain Tumor for Shoplifting; Pleads Guilty to Lesser Charge
Breaking News / Politics / People Steven Tavares — Fri, Jan 6, 2012 at 2:54 PM
The lawyer for Mary Hayashi on Friday said a benign tumor in the East Bay Assemblywoman’s brain was at least partially to blame for her shoplifting spree at Neiman Marcus in San Francisco in October. Attorney Douglas Rappaport made the comment after Hayashi made an unexpected appearance in court and pled to a lower charge of misdemeanor grand theft stemming from the allegations she stole $2,450 in clothing from Neiman Marcus.
He added the tumor is being treated medically, not surgically and she does not plan to step down from her final year in the Assembly.
Last month, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Gerardo Sandoval excused Hayashi from attending Friday’s preliminary hearing. Her appearance was a surprise as she entered the Hall of Justice by herself and entered through the regular entrance to Sandoval’s court room. Once before the judge, Hayashi pled guilty, but made no additional remarks.
Earlier in the day, San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon appeared willing to accept the possibility of the judge lowering Hayashi’s charge to a misdemeanor. "If the court decides to lower it to a misdemeanor, then that would be the appropriate course and we'll support the court," he said.
Hayashi’s political future, though, remains murky. She is termed-out of the Assembly this year, and before she was arrested for shoplifting, she was widely believed to be the early frontrunner to replace state Senator Ellen Corbett in the Senate starting in 2014
Comments (2)
Showing 1-2 of 2
Sounds like either mental illness or an addiction to stuff that is beyond her means. And reminds me of Lindsay Lohan who shoplifted a $2500 piece of jewelery. But I grew up in Santa Monica during the Dogtown era and always have said that it was rich kids who would steal from you. They have a "need" to have everything they see!
like
dislike
A few points. All this "brain tumor" excuse took place after the court accepted her "no contest" (guilty) plea.
Neither the prosecutor or court were given anything officially that related to anything dealing with a "brain tumor". Nothing is on the record where people are required to be truthful.
Neither the court or the people, have anything to prove or even indicate there is any medical condition which could have had anything to do with the crime she plead guilty to.
In fact according to Vic Lee KGO7 reporter, who followed up the court proceedings and initial statements of the lawyer, he got a later email from Sam Singer, Hayashi's hired spokesman saying the following about the "brain tumor"..... ""It did not play a role in her forgetfulness and distraction in accidentally walking out."
So Hayashi's own spokesperson is on record saying that the purported tumor had nothing to do with her walking out with the stolen goods.
When you read all the various quotes the lawyer gave out, you suddenly find that he is dodging and weaving, saying different things in different statements.
Clearly this is a non-legal way of putting a sympathetic face on a clear case of shoplifting. Mary Hayashi is a thief. A now convicted thief.
Who is trying to surround herself with some unrelated story about having a brain tumor that made her do it.
She provides ZERO evidence of any of it being true or any of it having any impact on her actions. Even her own spokesperson denies it being the cause of her crime.
Yet now we face the prospect of having a convicted criminal in Sacramento making laws for the rest of us to follow, while getting paid $100,000 for 2012.
BTW, Mary has $800,000 in campaign funds prepared for a 2014 race for a newly drawn State Senate seat.
How much shame can those in Sacramento operate with? Assembly Speaker Perez says he expects Mary to continue to do a fine job for her district and that he "matter" is over.
For those of us, lifelong Democrats in the East Bay, this STINKS.
How can you expect normal citizens to obey the law when crooks like Hayashi continue in office as though nothing has happened.
She is fined $180....
You fail to come to a complete stop at STOP sign, and you pay about $500.
Above all, what makes a "peoples representative" think they need to steal $2,450 leather pants and blouse, to be properly attired.
I suppose she feels the need to dress as well as lobbyists and corporate types.
Certainly she doesn't need $2,500 outfits to represent the common folks in her district.
Oh, I forgot, this was all caused by a "brain tumor"... Drove her to drive to San Francisco to a upscale store. Yes, now watch droves of my fellow Democrats fall all over themselves to make excuses for Mary.
You just watch, the CNA California Nurses Association won't miss a beat in their support of Mary.
Yes, its all a very happy ship as each side slaps the other's back.
Every special interest is represented, except the common folks.
How far our democracy has fallen. Is there any shame left?
Apparently not. Watch all the other legislators act like its all business as usual with good old Mary.
Author Archives
-
SEIU Pulls Endorsement From Joel Young
- Mar 15, 2012
-
County Probation Chief Accused of Sexual Harassment
- Feb 14, 2012
- More»
