How do you figure Williams "stole" these items? Isn't that for the original owner to say whether or not they were stolen?
If they were considered trash, they could hardly be stolen could they?
As much as I dislike Williams, this is pretty weak and in no way disqualifies him for anything.
If these were national security files, personnel files or dossiers, it would be problematic. This is just a list of VP nominees. On a moral level, this is equivalent to sticking a Ritz-Carlton towel or ashtray in your suitcase. It's theft, but not nearly on the level with what Sandy Berger did.
Interesting that they were hidden behind a panel, which is odd, and that he was "perspiring heavily" about having taken out the trash after all these years. Sounds like he thought he stole them, and was worried about the consequences if word got out.