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GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — The University of North Dakota has fired the director of the school's Energy and Environmental Research Center.
WDAY-TV (http://bit.ly/1oh3ZVh ) reports the university confirmed the move Thursday.
Gerald Groenewold had been placed on paid administrative leave in early May. He declined a request from the station to comment Thursday.
The EERC is UND's primary research facility and employs about 300 people, including scientists and engineers.
Groenewold pleaded guilty in 2008 to a misdemeanor assault charge for an incident involving his wife, state Sen. Connie Triplett. He was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to complete 30 hours of community service.
Thomas Erickson is the center's associate director for business, operations and intellectual property. A university spokesman says Erickson will oversee the day-to-day operations of the lab.
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Information from: WDAY-TV, http://wday.com
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