Municipal Court Judge Accused Of Shoplifting

A Seattle Municipal Court judge was arrested for investigation of shoplifting a necktie and hair gel at a Nordstrom store, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Michael Lambo, lawyer for Judge Stephen R. Schaefer, said Schaefer expects to be charged with third-degree theft in the Nov. 30 incident. Third-degree theft is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

The King County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing the case and hopes to have a decision about possible charges within a few days, said spokesman Dan Donohoe.

Schaefer, 62, a judge for 20 years, was suffering from stress, anxiety and forgetfulness before the incident, Lambo said, adding that Schaefer does not remember the incident very well.

The Municipal Court’s presiding judge, Judith Hightower, said Schaefer took a regular annual leave starting Dec. 2, then asked for additional personal leave in late December, giving a reason other than the arrest.