State Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi is reportedly being accused of renting her Castro Valley townhouse to a staff member who was recently given a large raise according to a recent CBS 5 article.
The house cost Hayashi and her husband just under $700,000 eight years ago, the article states. However, they had difficulty selling the property after moving out. The home was then , who was given a $7,500 raise just weeks prior.
CBS 5's political analyst Joe Tuman says this raises "serious ethical questions."
To read the complete article, click here.
The assemblywoman's district director told CBS 5 that Parman no longer works for Hayashi and was transferred. However, CBS 5 reports that Parman's LinkedIn page still lists him as her legislative aide.
Hayashi was arrested last year for from Neiman Marcus. .
Tuman added this latest incident could cost her in November's election. seat
I no longer work for the Assembly. I barely have enough time to update DMV of my new address let alone some LinkedIn internet website.
In the workplace, I would never rent a house from my boss. It could become very, very sticky if my boss does something wrong or I get a large pay bump, promotion, etc... Common sense says, "Avoid this situation." I'd have looked at a different condo, but that's just me. If you did nothing wrong, good, but the door for criticism was left open by renting from your boss at all, this is the natural result. I'm sorry this is an issue for you and your family, but it is what it is.
The articles all refer to Chris (Christopher I think) Parman as "He" or "Him." But if you, the wife, are actually Chris Parman that recieved the raise then the articles are in error. But How can this be? Do you and your husband work in different capacities for Hayashi, and coincidentally have the same first shortened name causing the confusion? Please explain.
And while I'm sure you deserved the raise and that it had to be approved by the committee - how many other people working for other assembly members in your capacity got raises similar to yours when you did? And let's not forget that Mary has been less than candid about the finances of her office. I don't think you ever replied to this article that Mike wrote about it last year: http://www.sanleandrobytes.com/archives/014485.html In any case, as Michael says, the appearance of impropriety is just as bad as actual impropriety. We will never know exactly what took place, but when you are dealing with a person who has shown dishonesty upon dishonesty, you must realize they no longer enjoy the benefit of the doubt. I'm sorry you got messed up on this. Loyalty is a great quality, but sometimes it's really misplaced.
Oct. 23 she is arrested & charged with felony grand theft, shoplifting $2,450. Oct. 24 she hires Sam Singer, the crisis PR pro who calls himself "The Fixer" Oct. 25, Singer says the theft is a "misunderstanding" and that Hayashi carries two cell phones and was texting and phoning with a bag in her hands and inadvertently stepped outdoors. Oct. 25 She hires criminal lawyer Douglas Rappaport. He says "It's a silly little case that got blown out of proportion," January 6th, Mary Hayashi pleads guilty to the crime. The plea includes admitting the "elements" of the crime, - intent- January 6th, with Mary by his side, her lawyer says Mary has a brain tumor and that "There is no other reason she would have taken the merchandise." he and Mary hug. January 10th. Mary's own press release says "My medical condition may have complicated the situation". July 21st. Mary tells the Oakland Tribune "my health was certainly not a factor in anything that happened" SF District Attorney Gascon says "This is a case that clearly contains the elements, in our opinion, of the crime as a felony" including 'intent' Mary to this day, fails to offer a explanation as to why she brought the empty shopping bag with her from Hayward to SF. The same bag she used to hide the clothing she shoplifted.
A bit of basic research would lead you to learn that Chris Parman was Mary Hayashi's District Coordinator. Before he left her employ, he was making $6,870 a month or $82,440 a year, according to information posted at http://assembly.ca.gov/salaries Parman has since been replaced by Laura Weaver, who is paid $8,750 a month or $105,000 annually. Last year, five members of Hayashi's staff were given raises ranging from 4.19% to 4.81%. Parman was not one of those who received a raise. In the limited amount of time I spent researching, I did not find who else on Hayashi's staff received raises in 2010 or the amount. Perhaps "Patch Staff" could help out with that information so we could learn whether others on Hayashi's staff received raises of similar amounts in 2010.
Even this article is just a regurgitation of the CBS 5 article. All that said, Tom is recovering so they're back to their pre-Tom journalistic standards, or lack thereof.
Asm. Hayashi could have rented it to someone else and received the same amount of money. We liked it for all the reasons I stated in my above reply.
Still, it's an unfortunately situation. I don't for a second believe that you would have knowingly done something improper, but Mary is very crafty and I'm sure she's able to make people do things and convince them it was their idea. And given her reputation for dishonesty all of her actions now merit questioning. I want to make it clear, however, that I do not question the integrity of your actions, Chris. My distrust is of Mary, not you.
Mary is her own worst attack ad.
Look Chris, you are trying to explain that this house rental situation was all above board. Perhaps it was, but it looks bad and in light of Mary's secrecy and unwillingness to face the public for the past 10 months, many people will assume there may be mischief. It follows Mary Hayashi's unwillingness to ever face the people she represents and explain her felony grand theft arrest. From October of 2011 until her one and only interview with Josh Richmond in late July she has hidden from the voters and their obvious questions. Please don't try to tell me those "events" count. You don't face voters true questions when you only make brief appearances at events like the Senior Scam Stopper, or the Pet Clinic. NO, Mary has completely avoided questions from the very people she represents. This has gone on for the entire 10 months since her arrest and conviction. Her story and changing list of excuses has been comical. You are gone now. So what do we, the district residents do to get our simple questions answered? She took a plea deal, admittting her guilt, and now after throwing out the brain tumor excuse, she is back to saying it was all unintentional. If so, face the folks and explain the facts. Why Mary, did you enter the SF Neiman Marcus store with a empty Neiman Marcus shopping bag? The same bag, shown on video, that you hid the merchandise in. Mary? Well?
If only politicians were held to the same standards as....people who work at investment banks.
There are alot more than 30 votes that she won't get! The Patch has a huge following of folks that read but never post. Believe me the word is out on this criminal!
It's repugnant!