A state judge found reality television show star Timothy Chapman not guilty yesterday of indecent exposure.

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Tim Chapman was acquitted of indecent exposure taking the stand to claim it was all a misunderstanding.

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Circuit Judge Richard Perkins found that the state did prove Chapman exposed his genitals to a woman in a parking lot near Ala Moana Center on Jan. 3, 2008. But he said the state did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Chapman was aware the woman saw him.

According to state law, a person commits the offense of indecent exposure if he intentionally exposes his genitals to someone other than his spouse in the likelihood that the exposure will cause affront.

The woman had testified that she saw Chapman masturbating in the front seat of his pickup truck and notified Ala Moana Center security.

Chapman said he removed his trousers to wipe spilled orange juice off himself, including his genitals, using disposable moist towelettes he cupped in his hand.

Perkins had earlier dismissed a felony terroristic threatening charge against Chapman because he said the state did not present evidence that Chapman communicated a threat to terrorize or harm an Ala Moana Center security guard when he drove his pickup truck in the security guard's direction.

Chapman testified he fled because he heard one of the responding security guards tell the other one to call a local television station, and he did not want to expose himself to negative media attention.

He said he is pleased with the judge's verdict and called the city's prosecution of him “;a blatant waste of taxpayer dollars.”;

Deputy Prosecutor Wayne Tashima said the state pursued the charges against Chapman because it felt it had the evidence to convict him.

Indecent exposure is a petty misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

But Chapman suggested the stakes were much higher.

He was a cast member on the show “;Dog the Bounty Hunter.”; He shares the last name of but is not related to the show's main character, Duane “;Dog”; Chapman.

Timothy Chapman said he earned hundreds of thousands of dollars per year on the show but has not been on the air since the show resumed last year, because of his pending criminal charges. Because of his acquittal yesterday, he said he can now discuss his possible return to the show.

But he said his overriding concern in fighting the charges was his children.

His wife filed for divorce last week and for custody of their two children. He said he felt the state was trying to take his children away from him.