David Petraeus Affair, Attorney Hired For Broadwell Scandal
Former CIA Director General David Petraeus hired a top Washington lawyer to help him figure out the scandal that surfaced from his career-ending extramarital affair, according to Reuters.
Robert Barnett of Williams & Connolly in Washington is known for negotiating book deals for political elite figures, such as President Barack Obama and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. He has been a partner in the firm for 34 years.
Petraeus has no book planned, but he did turn in his resignation and said it was solely because of his affair with Paula Broadwell, according to the report. He also stated that he did not give classified information to Broadwell.
News of the affair surfaced on Nov. 9. The information was kept within the walls of the Justice Department until the day of the presidential election, after which officials informed the Director of National Intelligence who urged Petraeus to resign, according to The Telegraph. Eric Holder, the head of the Justice Department, reportedly knew late in the summer that FBI agents were investigating Petraeus' affair with Broadwell, and his decision to not tell Congress immediately has some members concerned.
The Central Intelligence Agency, the Justice Department and Congress are investigating Petraeus' affair with Broadwell. He appeared in front of the Senate and Hose intelligence committees on Friday, Nov. 16, to talk about his first-hand knowledge of the Sept. 11, 2012, Benghazi attack on the U.S. consulate. In his opening statement to the Senate, he expressed his regret regarding his affair with Broadwell.
Broadwell is married and has two children, and Petraeus and his wife have been married for 38 years and also have two children.
Adultery is punishable under Article 134 of The Uniform Code of Military Justice, with "a maximum punishment of dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances and confinement for one year," according to The Huffington Post.
