DC Postal Chief Out, Accused of Assault

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Postal Service says its top official in the Washington region has departed after accusations that he assaulted a manager at a processing center in Sterling.

Jerry Lane had served as vice president of the Postal Service's Capital Metro Area since 2006.

Lane is scheduled to appear in Loudoun County General District Court next week to respond to charges filed against him by the manager of the Sterling facility, Kathleen J. Michaels.

The two allegedly got into an argument June 1, and sheriff's deputies responded to a 911 call. Michaels filed misdemeanor assault charges two days later.

A spokesman would only say that Lane "separated" from the agency and would not say whether he resigned or was fired.