GRAND FORKS (AP) - The director of the University of North Dakota's Energy and Environmental Research Center was arrested over the weekend for allegedly assaulting his wife, who is a state senator, authorities say.

Gerald Groenewold, 62, posted bail Monday, county officials said. His attorney, John Thelen, declined comment Tuesday.

The charge allegedly stemmed from a fight with his wife, Connie Triplett, who called police about 12:50 a.m. Sunday.

Triplett said she called 911 because Groenewold threatened to kill himself and she feared for his life. She said her husband pushed her, and she fell and bruised her face.

"I do not think for a minute that he intended to hurt me," Triplett said. Groenewold is an intense person, but he is "good and decent," his wife said.

Triplett said she asked police not to file charges, but they had to follow procedure.

"I called for one reason, and they arrested him for another reason," she said.

Groenewold was charged in August with misdemeanor disorderly conduct after Manvel volunteer firefighters said he threatened them. He denied that a confrontation occurred. Prosecution in that case was deferred, meaning no further court hearings as long as he stayed out of trouble for a year.

Triplett, 52, is a Grand Forks County commissioner and a Democratic state senator. On Monday, she said she intended to seek her local district's endorsement to run for her second Senate term.

Groenewold has been the EERC director since 1987. The center employs more than 300 people.

UND President Charles Kupchella said he could not comment on the arrest until he had more information.