GRAND FORKS (AP) - The director of the University of North Dakota's Energy and Environmental Research Center has pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife, who is a state senator and county commissioner.

Gerald Groenewold was accused of grabbing his wife, Connie Triplett, and throwing her to the floor at their home during an argument Feb. 18. He was charged with simple assault, a Class B misdemeanor.

Judge Michael Sturdevant sentenced Groenewold to the two days he already has served and to one year of probation, and ordered him to pay a $250 fine and to complete 30 hours of community service.

Sturdevant deferred the sentence, meaning that if Groenewold faces no more charges in the next year, the charge will be struck from his record.