LACEY, WA (AP) — Anti-tax initiative promoter Tim Eyman has been charged with misdemeanor theft after taking an office chair from an Office Depot store in Lacey without paying, but he says it was an accident.

Surveillance video showed Eyman sitting in the chair in the store’s entryway last Wednesday, spinning it around a few times, and then walking it out to the parking lot. Police say he then returned, exchanged one printer and bought new ones.

Through his lawyers, Eyman issued a written statement Tuesday saying it would be ridiculous for him to have stolen the $70 chair while wearing an easily identifiable, bright red shirt featuring his motto, “Let the voters decide.” He had just testified before the Legislature when he stopped at the store.

Eyman said he intended to pay for the chair, but received a call on his cell phone, became distracted and forgot.