Petraeus offers apology for scandal during speech at USC

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Newark, N.J., Mayor and U.S. Senate candidate Cory Booker had his Twitter dalliances with a Portland stripper exposed by Buzzfeed, with their privates tweets published for the world to see. But the “scandal” is merely titillation by association. There’s no evidence that Booker, who is single, ever tried to take their relationship beyond the tweets. And Booker’s team has taken the news in stride. “The only mildly surprising thing about this story is the news that there’s a vegan strip club in Portland,” his campaign said. (Mel Evans / Associated Press)

2/16

Former Congressman Anthony Weiner, who left office after a flurry of indiscretions on Twitter were revealed to the public, has admitted to continuing his online pursuits after his departure from Congress. Despite his admission, Weiner will remain in New York City’s ongoing mayoral race. (John Minchillo / Associated Press)

3/16

San Diego Mayor Bob Filner has been accused of numerous instances of sexual harassment, running as far back to his stint in Congress to his current office. Deemed “Filthy Filner” by employees, Filner has so far been accused of indiscretions by 13 women. A number of fellow Democrats have called for Filner’s resignation, but he has so far refused to step down. (Greg Bull / Associated Press)

4/16

Former Republican South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford revealed an extramarital affair in 2009. State lawmakers rejected impeachment, but recommended a formal rebuke related to state funds he spent for travel related to the affair. He served out the remainder of his second term, which expired in January 2011, and was largely absent from politics before mounting a successful 2013 campaign to represent South Carolina in Congress. (Rainier Ehrhardt / Associated Press)

5/16

David Petraeus submitted his resignation as director of the CIA on November 9, 2012 citing an extramarital affair. (Mark Wilson / Getty Images)

6/16

John Edwards, a Democratic former senator, vice presidential nominee and two-time presidential candidate, has been indicted on charges that he used campaign contributions to hide an extramarital affair. (Steve Exum/Getty)

7/16

Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) resigned in 2010 after it was revealed he had an extramarital affair with a staffer. (Tom Williams/Getty)

8/16

Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) resigned in 2010 during an ethics investigation into sexual harassment charges involving a male staffer. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty)

9/16

Rep. Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.) did not seek reelection in 2008 after a drunk driving conviction and revelations of an extramarital affair in which he fathered a child. (Tom Williams/Getty)

10/16

Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.) lost his reelection in 2008 after it was revealed that he had put a former mistress on his staff. Mahoney had succeeded GOP Rep. Mark Foley, who resigned two years earlier amid scandal. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

11/16

New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey, a Democrat, resigned in 2004 after acknowledging an extramarital affair with another man. (William Bird/Getty)

12/16

Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) was linked to an escort service scandal in 2007. He acknowledged his misbehavior and was reelected in 2010. (Bill Clark/Getty)

13/16

Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in an airport restroom and was admonished by the Senate Ethics Committee. He resisted calls to resign, but did not seek reelection in 2008. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)

14/16

Republican Jack Ryan abandoned his 2004 campaign for a Senate seat in Illinois after allegations in a divorce case that he had taken his wife -- actress Jeri Ryan, whom he divorced in 1999 -- to sex clubs. Barack Obama was elected to the Senate seat. (Scott Olson/Getty)

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Rep. Gary Condit (D-Calif.) lost his reelection primary in 2002 after it was revealed he had an extramarital affair with intern Chandra Levy, who disappeared in 2001 and was found slain a year later. A Salvadoran immigrant was convicted of killing her. (Stephen J. Boitano / Associated Press)

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Gary Hart, a former Colorado senator, lost his 1988 bid for the Democratic presidential nomination amid revelations he had had an extramarital affair. (Ed Andrieski / Associated Press)

By Alexandra Zavis

March 26, 2013 9:34 PM PT

Signaling a desire to return to public life, retired Gen. David H. Petraeus offered an apology Tuesday for the scandal that led to his resignation as director of the CIA and brought an illustrious career to an abrupt end.

Petraeus has kept a low profile since admitting to an extramarital affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell, in November. The speech, at a USC dinner honoring veterans and ROTC students, is the first step in what appears to be a carefully choreographed comeback bid.

Before about 600 guests in a hotel ballroom in downtown Los Angeles, a contrite Petraeus acknowledged that he is “regarded in a different light now” than he was a year ago.

“I am also keenly aware that the reason for my recent journey was my own doing,” he said. “So please allow me to begin my remarks this evening by reiterating how deeply I regret — and apologize for — the circumstances that led to my resignation from the CIA and caused such pain for my family, friends and supporters.”

Petraeus, 60, is credited with drafting the military’s counterinsurgency doctrine. As commander of U.S.-led forces in Iraq, he helped turn around the war. He also led NATO forces in Afghanistan before retiring from the Army in 2011 to become intelligence chief.

Petraeus resigned Nov. 9, citing “extremely poor judgment” for engaging in the affair, which came to light during an FBI investigation. Later that month, Petraeus testified behind closed doors at two congressional hearings on the attack by heavily armed militants in the Libyan city of Benghazi that killed U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans last year.

But until Tuesday, he had generally avoided public appearances, retreating to his home in Arlington, Va. Friends and former aides said Petraeus was focusing on his family.

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alexandra.zavis@latimes.com