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East Bay Assembly Woman Gets Shoplifting Court Date

OAKLAND (KCBS) –Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi is set to return to court early next year to face charges that she shoplifted clothing from a San Francisco department store.

A judge on Tuesday scheduled a preliminary hearing for Dec. 7. That's when prosecutors will have to prove they have enough evidence to hold a trial.

The Democratic lawmaker from Castro Valley faces a felony shoplifting charge for allegedly stealing leather pants and two other items worth about $2,500 from a Neiman Marcus store on Oct. 25.

KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:

Hayashi has pleaded not guilty. She said she was on her cellphone and inadvertently walked outside with the merchandise.

Prosecutors allege she entered the store with an empty shopping bag and concealed the items while in a dressing room.

Hayashi is married to Alameda County Superior Court Judge Dennis Hayashi.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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