Filner says he regrets airport scuffle

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., expressed regret regarding a dust-up he had last week with an airline baggage worker, CQ Today reported.

The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee chairman faces misdemeanor assault and battery charges in connection with the Aug. 19 incident, which took place during a congressional trip to Iraq and Germany to study military service members’ transition to civilian life.

Filner is accused of shoving a United Airlines employee at Dulles International Airport after entering an area reserved for airline employees.

In a statement, Filner admitted he "was tired after a delayed flight and frustrated by the subsequent further delay of the entire flight’s baggage."

"This is an episode that I regret and hope to move beyond," he added.

Filner has previously called news reports about the altercation "factually incorrect," however, the statement he released Wednesday didn't dispute police and witness accounts of what happened. CQ Today said.

Filner spokeswoman Amy Pond wouldn't comment on whether Filner would plead guilty to the charges at an Oct. 2 hearing in Loudoun County, Va., General District Court, CQ Today said.