Japanese Official Pleads Not Guilty to Theft
A Japanese dignitary accused of stealing $450 worth of leather goods from a Los Angeles International Airport gift shop pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to misdemeanor theft charges.
Umemura, who resigned as chairman of the Nagoya City Council following the April 14 incident, did not appear in West Los Angeles Municipal Court.
“It didn’t seem to make much sense to have him fly 5,500 miles each way to get up in court and say, ‘Not guilty,’ ” said Elliott Hahn, the Los Angeles attorney who is representing Umemura.
The case initially was dropped within hours of Umemura’s arrest after Mayor Tom Bradley contacted airport police on his behalf. A trial date is expected to be set on July 16.
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