Former CIA chief apologizes for extramarital affair

LOS ANGELES - Reuters

‘I know that I can never fully assuage the pain that I inflicted on those closest to me and on a number of others,’ ex-CIA head David Petraeus said. REUTERS photo

Former CIA Director David Petraeus apologized March 26 for the extramarital affair that forced his November resignation and acknowledged the toll it took on his family, career and reputation.

“Please allow me to begin my remarks this evening by reiterating how deeply I regret and apologize for the circumstances that led me to resign from the CIA and caused such pain for my family, friends and supporters,” Petraeus said at an event in California.

Petraeus noted that “life doesn’t stop with such a mistake. It can and must go on.”

“I know that I can never fully assuage the pain that I inflicted on those closest to me and on a number of others,” Petraeus said. “I can, however, try to move forward in a manner that is consistent with the values to which I subscribed before slipping my moorings and, as best as possible, to make amends to those I have hurt and let down.” The sex scandal involving Petraeus and his biographer, Paula Broadwell, an Army reserve intelligence officer who is also married, provided fodder for comedians and triggered a media storm that followed his confession and resignation.