She apparently just got used to stealing from the taxpayers, she didn't realize it's only legal if you use the state's taxing power.

Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi has been charged with felony grand theft after allegedly being caught by security officers stealing nearly $2,500 in clothing from a San Francisco Neiman Marcus store.

The 45-year-old Castro Valley Democrat, wife of a Bay Area judge, pleaded not guilty Thursday in San Francisco Superior Court and is free on $15,000 bail pending further proceedings Nov. 15.

She claims she was distracted talking on her cell phone and walked past several registers on her way out the door.

Obviously we need a law to prevent people talking on their cell phones while shopping.