Nortel Networks' top executive in Research Triangle Park admitted guilt today to assaulting a woman in a parking lot last October in Chapel Hill.

Jesse Joel Hackney, 37, Nortel’s senior vice-president of global operations and quality at RTP, admitted he was guilty of charges of false imprisonment, assault on a female and communicating threats on Alicia Ogden, a 21-year-old UNC-Chapel Hill student. The agreement was entered today in Orange County District Court in Hillsborough.

As part of agreement, Hackney agreed to undergo a mental health assessment for anger management.

“It’s such a minor thing that I haven’t been involved in it,” Hackney said today during a telephone interview. “It’s a parking lot argument, like 30 seconds.”

Hackney referred other questions to Nortel’s public relations department. Hackney, a Chapel Hill native, was recruited to Nortel Networks in late 2005 to help restore the Canadian company’s public image after a series of financial and ethics scandals. He answers directly to Chief Executive Mike Zafirovski.

The confrontation happened Oct. 13 in the Ram’s Head parking facility at the UNC campus following a “Late Night With Roy” basketball event with UNC head basketball coach Roy Williams, according to the criminal complaint Ogden signed.

Ogden said in the complaint that Hackney pulled in front of her in his Audi SUV, prompting her to honk her horn. Hackney got out of his car, approached Ogden’s automobile, and asked her if she had a problem, according to Ogden’s complaint. “He then grabbed the left side of my face,” Ogden said in the affidavit. “I told him not to touch me and he responded that he’ll do what he wants.”

Today’s agreement also requires Hackney to donate $500 to the Family Violence Prevention Center in Chapel Hill, to perform 50 hours of community service through the Chapel Hill Police Department or other organizations, and to donate three UNC-Chapel Hill basketball home game tickets for the 2007-2008 season to the N.C. Children's Hospital’s fund-raising arm, N.C. Children’s Promise.

Hackney also agreed to send a letter of apology to Ogden, according to court documents.

Hackney has a court date scheduled May 17 to report on his compliance with the conditions of the court agreement filed today.