Schuller Fined, Apologizes for Incident on Jet

The Rev. Robert H. Schuller, the Garden Grove televangelist, apologized Wednesday for “aggressively” grabbing a flight attendant--a public admission that cemented a deal with federal prosecutors to avoid trial on an assault charge.

Schuller, who preaches to a worldwide television audience of 20 million each week, 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 civil fine of $1,100 to the Federal Aviation Administration, which an agency spokeswoman said was the maximum possible in this type of case.

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On Wednesday, 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, though 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 law and to keep authorities posted on his whereabouts for six months. If he follows through, a federal prosecutor said, the charge against him will be dropped.

“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.”

Schuller, who has preached in Orange County since the 1950s, has been a favorite of presidents of both parties. He sat next to First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton during this year’s State of the Union address and has slept at the White House at the invitation of President Clinton.

The flight attendant whose complaint sparked the federal investigation 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 the late Betty Shabazz, the widow of Malcolm X.

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

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Schuller, after being served dessert, got up from his seat and went to the galley to talk with the flight attendants, the investigator said. Schuller then “physically grabbed with both hands” the shoulder area 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.”

Days after the incident, Schuller took the unusual step of calling a televised news conference to announce that he was under investigation, seeking to put his own spin on the matter.

In Schuller’s 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, Schuller said he asked the attendant to serve him only fruit instead of a fruit-and-cheese plate, explaining that he was on a low-fat diet. The attendant, according to Schuller, also refused that request.

Subsequently, Schuller maintained, he approached the attendant. At that point, Schuller acknowledged, he grabbed the man’s shoulders in what he described as an effort to counsel him.

“Early in the flight I should have tried harder to be more polite, and later I absolutely should not have aggressively grabbed his shoulders or touched him in any way,” Schuller said in his statement Wednesday.

“My intent was to get his attention, not to cause physical harm. Nevertheless, my actions were inappropriate, considering the circumstances, and wherever he might be I want him to know that I apologize for any portion of my conduct which he found offensive.”

The statement continued: “Second, I know that this incident caused others to be inconvenienced. As a result, I wish to express an apology to all other members of the flight crew and passengers who were delayed or otherwise disrupted because of these events.”

The allegation against Schuller drew a spotlight to a problem that flight attendants say has increased dramatically in recent years.

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Passengers are “less tolerant of what they perceive as poor service,” said Jill Gallagher, a spokeswoman for the Assn. of Flight Attendants.

“Certain categories of passenger are more likely to create this situation, and one of these are people of privilege who feel they deserve some special treatment or feel they are in a position of authority,” Gallagher said. “These people feel uncomfortable when asked to do things like fasten your seat belt or please take your seat.”

Neil Ross, an assistant U.S. attorney in New York, called the agreement “a very appropriate” resolution to the case, considering that Schuller paid a civil fine to the government and made a public apology in court.

Schuller’s attorney, Terry Giles of Rancho Santa Fe, said the televangelist feels “very positive” and “very upbeat” about the deal.

Speaking from New York by telephone Wednesday to reporters gathered at the Crystal Cathedral, Giles said his client continues to maintain his innocence, but now concedes that he could have behaved differently and possibly prevented the altercation.

“Dr. Schuller, unlike most other people on the planet, is a man who believes in turning the other cheek,” Giles said. “He believes in self-evaluation and thought maybe he could have said or done something that would have been more polite. He’s thinking, ‘If I did something and [the flight attendant] misunderstood me, then I am awfully sorry.’ ”

Giles said the deal ends an ordeal that has been “very stressful and a major inconvenience” for Schuller and his family. “We can’t get any better than this,” he said.

Giles said Schuller and his wife, Arvella, resumed a vacation after appearing in court before federal Magistrate Roanne L. Mann in New York.

The Crystal Cathedral, an imposing edifice of glass on an etched brass frame, draws tourists and worshipers from around the world. Schuller broadcasts his Christian television show “Hour of Power” from the sanctuary.

Times staff writer Peter M. Warren contributed to this story.