Husband of Councilwoman Pleads Not Guilty

The husband of Moorpark Councilwoman Debbie Teasley, accused of stealing jewelry, pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of grand theft and possession of stolen property.

Police arrested William Teasley earlier this month on suspicion of stealing as much as $17,000 worth of diamonds and other jewelry from a Moorpark store near his wife’s real estate office. He was later released on his own recognizance.

Dressed in business attire, Teasley, 39, appeared in a Ventura courtroom Monday with his lawyer, Frank White.

White entered Teasley’s not-guilty plea. Judge Edward F. Brodie then agreed to hold a preliminary hearing next month.

Teasley’s attorney did not elaborate on the plea. “It’s just too early. I’d rather not say anything at this point,” he said.

Debbie Teasley, who did not attend Monday’s hearing, has said nothing publicly about the case. While William Teasley was in custody, no one posted his $5,000 bail.

Police suspect that William Teasley made off with a number of items from Anderson Jewelers on New Los Angeles Avenue, including a one-carat, teardrop-shaped diamond and a two-carat diamond cluster ring.

Store owner David Pardo has said Teasley used the councilwoman’s name to gain his trust and then stole jewelry from the store under the pretense of learning about the trade.

Acquaintances said Teasley, who has been married to the councilwoman for four years, is a former electrical engineer but has been out of a job for a few years and has suffered from an unspecified illness.

Many described him as a quiet man who helped support Teasley during her 1996 council campaign but who stays out of the spotlight. He sometimes has attended Chamber of Commerce functions with his wife, but usually has stayed in the background, the councilwoman’s friends said.

“He’s always been supportive and worked hard on her campaign, but he’s . . . kind of like the worker bee,” said Linda Plaks, past president of the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce and president of the Moorpark Historical Society.

William Teasley was involved in the Historical Society for a few months last year, Plaks said. He served on the board for four to six months and tried to help spruce up the Moorpark Library’s display case before dropping out because of illness, Plaks said.

“He submitted a letter that said his ill health was not allowing him to continue and do the job he wanted to do,” Plaks said. “He said he would not be able to give the time and energy required of the position, and then he resigned.”

Friends and colleagues have rallied to the side of Debbie Teasley.

“She has always been honest, and integrity has never been an issue,” Plaks said. “My heart goes out to her because this is one of the worst things that can happen when you take that step into public life.”

Councilman John Wozniak said he does not know William Teasley but is concerned for the councilwoman.

“I feel sorry for Debbie and my heart goes out for her and hopefully everything will be able to work out,” he said.

Councilman Chris Evans agreed.

“I know in my heart that if Debbie knew anything about that she would have been the first to step forward and say, ‘We have a problem here,’ ” Evans said.