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Handguns and shoplifting: Another week in the California Assembly

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For those not keeping score, Assemblyman Tim Donnelly’s (R-San Bernardino) run-in with airport police over a loaded gun Wednesday was only the latest political ‘oops’ for California lawmakers.

Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward) is scheduled to have her day in court Friday when a judge is expected to set a preliminary hearing on a felony grand-theft charge that she shoplifted at a Neiman Marcus store in San Francisco.

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The lawmaker pleaded not guilty to the charge in October after prosecutors said she was caught on video surveillance leaving the department store with a shopping bag containing leather pants and other clothing worth $2,445 that she hadn’t paid for. Hayahshi has called the incident a misunderstanding, saying she was talking on her cellphone, ‘got distracted, had a snack in the cafe’ and left the store.

Returning to the Capitol on Wednesday for the opening of the new legislative year, Hayashi declined to address reporters.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the lawmaker could catch a break. The newspaper reported Wednesday that the judge overseeing the case, Gerardo Sandoval, may be prepared to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor.

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Assemblywoman Hayashi facing shoplifting charge

Assemblyman says he mistakenly brought gun to flight

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Gun in my briefcase? Oops. Legislator says weapon slipped his mind

-- Michael J. Mishak in Sacramento
twitter.com/mjmishak

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