New Twist To Petraeus Scandal: Emails From Another Top US General To Florida Woman
THE WASHINGTON POST, LOS ANGELES TIMES (U.S.)
The Pentagon announced early Tuesday that the scandal surrounding departed CIA chief David Petraeus has apparently ensnared General John R. Allen, Petraeus's successor as commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan.
According to the Washington Post, an anonymous senior defense official announced Tuesday that the FBI has uncovered up to 30,000 pages of "inappropriate communications" between Allen and Jill Kelley, the "second" woman in the Petraeus probe. Kelley of Tampa, Fl., who describes herself as a longtime family friend of Petraeus and his wife Holly, had alerted officials to threatening emails from another woman with whom the CIA chief was having an extra-marital affair.
The emails dated from 2010 to 2012 are now under review of the Pentagon; however, it remains unclear as to the nature of the communications.
[rebelmouse-image 27086003 alt="""" original_size="288x360" expand=1]Gen. John R. Allen
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Petraeus was forced to resign Friday after acknowledging that he had an extramarital affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell.
The investigation into Petraeus, and any classified information he may have shared with Broadwell, came to light after Jill Kelley reported to the FBI that Broadwell was harassing her by sending a string of "jealous" and threatening emails.
Yes, this! RT @lrozen: Jill Kelley is "Homeland" meets "Real Housewives of Tampa."
— Andrew Kaczynski (@BuzzFeedAndrew) November 11, 2012
Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told reporters aboard his aircraft en route to Perth, Australia that the FBI had referred the matter to the Pentagon on Sunday.
General Allen denies any wrongdoing, and it remains unclear how the emails between Allen and Kelley are linked to the emails between Petraeus and Broadwell, or Kelley and Broadwell.
Both Petraeus and Allen are veterans of the Iraq War, and the Army's most merited officials. General Allen is currently in Washington as he awaits his nomination to be the next commander of U.S. European Command and the commander of NATO forces in Europe.
The Los Angeles Times reports that President Obama has been consulted on the issue and it is likely his nomination has been put on hold until "the relevant facts are determined."
