Preacher To Six Presidents Admits Assault -- In Deal With Prosecutors, Robert Schuller Acknowledges That He Grabbed A Flight Attendant By The Shoulder

The Rev. Robert Schuller apologized yesterday for "aggressively" grabbing a flight attendant - a public admission that cemented a deal with federal prosecutors to avoid trial on an assault charge.

The preacher, who has been counselor to six U.S. presidents and is the star of his own nationally syndicated Sunday morning show, "Hour of Power," had previously denied wrongdoing in a dispute with a United Airlines flight attendant over a garment bag and an unwanted serving of cheese en route from Los Angeles to New York City.

In acknowledging some fault in the June 28 incident, the founder of the Crystal Cathedral agreed to pay a $1,100 civil fine to the Federal Aviation Administration, which an agency spokeswoman said was the maximum possible in this type of case.

Yesterday, federal prosecutors in New York charged Schuller with one count of misdemeanor assault against a flight attendant. The charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison.

Schuller, although he apologized in court, pleaded not guilty. But he agreed to submit to informal supervision by a federal pretrial services officer, promising not to violate any laws and to keep authorities posted on his whereabouts for six months. The charge against him will be dropped if he follows through, a federal prosecutor said.

"I am sad about any part I may have had in creating the incident which occurred, but I am relieved to have these matters resolved," Schuller said in the statement he gave the court. "I am 70 years old, but I am not too old to learn or be taught new lessons."

The flight attendant could not be reached for comment.

The incident occurred on United Flight 16 as Schuller was flying first-class to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. He was en route to speak at a tribute to Betty Shabazz, the widow of Malcolm X, who died of burns she suffered in a fire set by her grandson.

According to an account by an FBI investigator in an affidavit made public yesterday, two attendants assigned to Schuller's cabin reported that he made "numerous negative comments" about what he perceived as less than first-class service.

Schuller, after being served dessert, went to the galley to talk with the flight attendants, the investigator said. He then "physically grabbed with both hands" the shoulder of one attendant "and shook him back and forth a number of times," the investigator said, causing his head "to move up and down in a vigorous manner."

Schuller later called a TV news conference to say he was under investigation.

In his account, the incident began when the attendant refused his request to hang up the robe that he planned to wear at the Shabazz memorial. Later, he said he asked the attendant to serve him only fruit instead of a fruit-and-cheese dessert plate, explaining he was on a low-fat diet. The attendant, Schuller said, also refused that request.

Schuller said he approached the attendant and grabbed the man's shoulders in an effort to counsel him.