Choice for No. 2 Education Post Charged

A Harvard University professor who was under consideration for the No. 2 post at the Education Department pleaded not guilty Friday to assaulting and threatening to kill a woman.

Glenn C. Loury, a professor at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, was released on personal recognizance and ordered to return to Municipal Court on July 9. Judge Walter Hurley also ordered Loury to stay away from Pamela Foster, the woman who filed the assault complaint.

Loury, 38, was charged with threatening to murder Foster, assaulting her with a dangerous weapon and malicious destruction of property. The charges carry total penalties of more than 10 years in prison.

Officials Confirm Withdrawal

In Washington, federal officials said Loury had withdrawn Monday as a candidate for the job as undersecretary to Education Secretary William J. Bennett, citing personal and family reasons.

Education Department officials had said Loury was the Administration’s choice to become undersecretary, and his nomination was expected after a routine background and security check.

But Bill Kristol, chief of staff to Bennett, said in a statement Friday that Loury had withdrawn.

“On Thursday I called to confirm that this was Mr. Loury’s settled intention and asked that he write a letter to make his withdrawal formal,” Kristol said. “I understand he has written such a letter.

First Learn From Press

“We first learned of the allegations concerning Mr. Loury from press calls Thursday evening and we have no independent knowledge of these allegations or any comment on them,” he said.

Foster filed an assault report against Loury on Thursday and later sought formal complaints, police spokesman John Gillespie said. Foster reported that Loury kicked her after an argument.

Loury’s relationship with Foster could not be determined.