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Subscribe to RSSJust-resigned CIA Director David Petraeus says he will testify this week at congressional hearings looking into the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, as new details emerge about the emails that helped end his career. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.
Ex-CIA Director David Petraeus reportedly said in an interview that he did not share classified information with his biographer Paula Broadwell, the woman with whom he is said to have had an affair.
In a series of interviews with Kyra Phillips of Headline News, Petraeus also said his resignation as CIA director was not tied to his upcoming testimony on the attack in Benghazi that killed four Americans. He is due to testify Friday in closed-door Senate and House hearings, the first formal congressional inquiries into the September attack.
Petraeus’ comments, which came in a series of interviews with Phillips beginning last week, were first reported Thursday.
"In our first conversation," Phillips said, Petraeus "had told me he had engaged in something dishonorable. He sought to do the honorable thing in response -- and that was to come forward. He was very clear that he screwed up terribly ... even felt fortunate to have a wife who is far better than he deserves."
Petraeus told Phillips he had not spoken with Broadwell since the scandal broke.
"He insisted to me that he has never passed classified information to Paula Broadwell," Phillips said. "He said this has nothing to do with Benghazi, and he wants to testify. He will testify."
Defense officials told NBC News on Thursday that earlier this week, the FBI came to Army officials with material discovered in Broadwell’s emails and asked, “Is this real and is it classified?” After Army officials determined it was indeed classified material, the FBI launched a search of Broadwell’s North Carolina home, with her consent.
The Defense officials could not reveal the nature of the classified material.
On Wednesday, an Army official told NBC News that Broadwell had lost her security clearance.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Broadwell’s security clearance and access to classified material was suspended because of an address she gave to an alumni symposium on Oct. 26 at the University of Denver, which appeared on the video-sharing site YouTube. Broadwell holds a master's degree in international study from the school.
In the address, Broadwell talked about security at the consulate in Benghazi, Libya.
"Any time that the Army has a reason to believe that an officer has mishandled classified information, there is grounds for such action," the Army official said, referencing the YouTube clip.
Broadwell, a West Point graduate and former military intelligence officer, is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, though she is not currently on active duty, according to Pentagon records obtained by NBC News.
Multiple government and law enforcement officials have told NBC News that Petraeus, a retired four-star general who is married, had an extramarital affair with Broadwell, 40. Broadwell, who also married, authored “All In,” a book about Petraeus’ leadership philosophy.
FBI investigators who looked into a series of anonymous threatening emails sent to Tampa, Fla., socialite Jill Kelley later determined they were authored by Broadwell, multiple government and law enforcement officials have told NBC News.
Petraeus will testify Friday about the attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi before the Senate Intelligence Committee after he briefs the House Intelligence Committee.
NBC News' Jim Miklaszewski and Courtney Kube contributed to this report.
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So a general has an affair with a light colonel and it becomes big news.... really? the FBI found classified info on her computer... nothing indicates she leaked anything... and being a light colonel she had access to classified docs... still nothing to report there... so why the sensationalism... I wonder what is being covered up elsewhere that Petraeus is taking a fall or did he resign because he was being asked to cover something up... I cannot help but believe that there is another reason for all of this.
as freud said, "sometimes a cigar is just a cigar". There is no reason this story has to be any more complicated than it is. Petraus had an affair, got caught, and has to resign based on his position. Its a good sex story of course, which the media loves...because americans love good sex stories.
There is another reason CS, but Obama and Holder will never admit to it. They'll throw it in with the countless other lies they continuously tell the American sheeple and expect them to keep believing them.
GCHGA - Boring! Stop with your sour grapes. Obama is our President. How about we work with one another, quit tearing him down, and try to help this country move forward! What a concept!
It would be refreshing to see people tell the truth and accept responsibility (President Obama)
I read that the number of people seeking unemployment benefits jumped up to 439,000 last week.
It was reported to be the highest level in 18 months.
Poverty is impacting 49.7 million people in America today, a new record high.
Just days after the election.
you mean like this: "President Barack Obama said on Tuesday he was "ultimately responsible" for the safety and security of the four Americans killed in last month's attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya. "I'm the president and I'm always responsible," Obama said"
and poverty has been a big problem since the financial crash of 2008, nothing new there or unusual about being "days after the election". Economic news happens nearly every day...some good, some bad.
unemployment? no mystery there: "
Superstorm Sandy drove the number of people seeking unemployment benefits up to a seasonally adjusted 439,000 last week, the highest level in 18 months.
The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly applications increased by 78,000 mostly because a large number of applications were filed in states damaged by the storm. People can claim unemployment benefits if their workplaces close and they don't get paid.
The storm has affected the claims data for the past two weeks and may distort reports for another two weeks, the department has said"
so i'm not sure of what your point is.
Marcus - Right wing sour grapes is funny......but it is getting really boring!
Move forward WITH the program for America instead of against it.
Imagine the outcome of a Nixon or a Clinton if they had be covered by today's useless press corps.
We're watching the most pathetic group of journalist and reporters in media history.
This group has no balls and no place in media history.
Like a stain on the wall they serve no purpose, bad entertainment and no intestinal fortitude, wimps
i agree. Used to be, news organizations weren't a "profit center", they broke even or maybe even lost money, but that was a public service.
Now, with global capitalism and competition, those days are going, and media chases profits and minimizes expenses. Not sure what to do about that to be honest.
Google up Pat Caddell and the Accuracy in Media synposium address for a real eye opener on the Main Stream Media's corruption by money and politics and their lopsided affair with the Democrat Party, and the former honorable 4th Estates abject failure to do a balanced job of keeping our politicians and government officials on their toes in the past couple of decades.
I believe him as much as Clinton saying I did not have sex with that woman!!!!!
He admitted to the affair and resigned his position. How does that compare to Clinton?
He was told to resign. He didn't just spontaneously go visit the President a couple of weeks ago and quit his job.
Isn't it anazing that this FBI investigation into the affair of the CIA Director and his biogropher and paramour Paula Broadwell, who herself was a Reserve Army Officer, had been declared over with no security compromises when Petreaus resigned and therefore would not be available in an official capacity to Congressional hearings looking into the Benghazi, Libya deadly foulups and attempted coverups of this Administration, but then once the media and influential Congressional figures still called for his testimony the FBI investigation was still not only on but escalated by the FBI. Obviously, the Attorney General would have had to be informed of any requests for suponaes to be used to gather information on posssible criminal activity involving classified information on someone of the stature of the CIA Director and any of his associates. And if Eric Holder knew the status of this investigation, you can be sure that the White House knew also.
The real question is who exactly is calling the shots here. The FBI director? The AG Holder to whom the FBI Director reports to? Or the President to whom Eric Holder reports to? Whatever, it sure looks like the avenging sword is hanging over the heads of Petreaus and his former paramour Paula Broadwell which involves their retirement benefits and possibly even their freedom if the testimony doesn't come out right tomorrow morning when Petreaus appears voluntarily before both the House and Senate Intelligence Committees closed hearings on the Benghazi issues. And Romney thought we had ex KGB-er Putin to worry about!
you're making a lot of assumptions. Even assuming some kind of coverup by the AG, there is no reason they would have had to tell the white house, since the whole idea of such a coverup is NOT to tell them during an election and give the white house "plausible deniability".
We already know that Holder was in another coverup activity (Fast and Furious) in communication with the White House on the events of that fiasco, as no sooner did the Congressional Investigations Committee begin to zero in, than Obama delivered his Executive Privileges claim, which is only supposed to apply to his direct staffers and officials giving him counsel. Then we have the nonsense of the leaks of security information for political purposes laid on the feet of Tom Donlon on our drone program, the raid to kill Bin Laden, and the cyberattack delaying Iran's nuclear weapons program that even Senator Diane Feinstein was tracebable back to the White House. And where is that "in house" investigation after 6 months now? Why still "ongoing" under the direction of two appointees of AG Eric Holder. Isn't it amazing that when the President gave his first in eight months press conference no questions were asked by the Main Stream media about those two investigations? And isn't it amazing that when pressed with a question on the Petreaus-Broadwell affair and classified documents leaks, the President could cop out with I can't respond as that is under a "continuing investigation"? This is the most political Attorney Generals office and Justice Deppartment since that of John Mitchell, in Nixon presidency.
Yes its true I banged the hell out of her...but I never shared classified information with her.
She took it without permission maybe...hang her butt not mind.
LOL..beat the spelling police today..its mine not mind!
mind seems to fit a little better :)
mike - You should have corrected writing "banged the h*ll out of her". Misogynist jerk!
The truth about Benghazi is going to come out....and Obama is going to be crucified.
crucified? meaning what? found guilty of something? called names by limbaugh?
Right wing sour grapes is funny......but it is getting really boring!
I have been reading all the comments up to this point. some are silly some are quite well written with valid points. The one thing that although amazes me, does not surpise me is that these two senior albeit one former military officer would allow themselves to sucked in this idol worshipping BS. These two good looking ladies stroked their feathers and right away they are ready to pack it in. You don't get to be the General of the Army and in line for the most prestigious command in the millitary i.e. NATO Commander for being stupid or lacking in common sense. You will however loose it all over a woman. Lest we forget about the Broadwell gal. The last time I looked, adultery, wrongful co-habitation and conduct unbecoming are all chargeable offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Fair is fair
Mittens would have said "Off with their heads" and Queen Ann would have said "Let them eat cake." And we'd have Romney running around with his thumb in mouth going" I don't know. I can't flip flop on this."
Betraeus did share his spit & sperm, though. General - quit saluting the sluts already, you're a bad example to our chain smokin & heavy drinkin troops!
bobs - Anyone else call you a misogynist pig?
Ooh, you're making me hot AND bothered.
I remember the old BO knows ad campaign that was popular when Bo Jackson was playing.
BO knows - Unemployment and Joblessness
BO knows - Poverty and declining incomes
BO knows - Bad economy that he can't fix
BO knows - Lying
BO knows - Ducking responsibility
BO knows - There's many clueless who support him
Right wing sour grapes is funny......but it is getting really boring!
That's right......Betraeus didn't leak classified information......as he was busy leaking something else.
hahahahaha!! he does look all dried up and spent, doesnt he?
Hey CS, believe it or not, in the military adultery is frowned upon even in this day and age and people still today receive courts martial for such things. It is a big deal. Leadership is setting the example, leadership is do as I do not as I say. Leadership is being able to hand down punishment. How can you do that if you have performed the same violation and not been punished. Patraeus is a civilian and has already resigned, little will happen to him professionally. Gen Allen on the other hand will quietly retire and he will never set foot in NATO Headquarters as its new commander and for what! It sounds like you have spent little or no time in the military.
In the military unwanted pregnancies by young female military personnel are more common than in the general population. It seems that use of oral contraceptives during times when they are separated from husbands in overseas duty (or the husband is seperated by overseas duty) is considered evidence of intended adultery.
Many good men have been brought down by a conniving woman. At least Petraeus admitted it and did not lie. He has served his country honorably but fell short when it comes to his wife and family. My condolences to them.
You may be right that she is a conniving woman. But you give him a pass? He's a big boy now and should have known better. The "betrayer" gets a free pass?
Many "good men" brought down by a conniving woman? LOL, LOL, LOL. "Good men" need to actually BE good men!
This "boys will be boys" concept needs to die - quickly! At some point in time, boys need to become men - Please!
Hey Just Me - lets not forget about Broadwell's husband. For I have been on that end of the stick. Nobody wins and everybody suffers all at the hands of the adulterers.
You've got that right! I was in Holly Petraeus' position - the young woman after "the prize" LOL. Dreadful what it does to families. The betrayed adults suffer hugely and the kids suffer even more!
I agree with you Moody123. Unfortunately nobody will remember the 35 or 40 years they gave to their country. All they will remember is the black cloud they finished their service under. It is a shame. Its like a nuclear war, nobody wins.
like they say.. a thousand attaboys are ruined by one oh sh*t.
It's a shame. But, he's a grown man and way beyond capable of knowing better! He sunk his own ship. He should be ashamed of himself!
in this unit if you have the worst foul up of the month you get the bone of the month award.The award is a big bone on a plaque with your name on it for that month.If you have the worst foul up that year,you get the bone of the year award,which is a huge cow bone that hangs on your door.I guess Dave would get the bone award for life.
"Ex-CIA Director David Petraeus reportedly said in an interview that he did not share classified information with his biographer Paula Broadwell": someone sure did, and the source had YOUR NAME on it.
that is hard to say really.she had quite the clearance herself.It's not like she did'nt have her own access to information.
I'd like to believe the guy and I still say its none of our business but he did this to himself, how are we suppose to trust the guy he gives us no reason to trust him that he didn't accidentally give secrets away. Maybe he talks during sex without knowing it :)
i do believe him to an extent.He literally has nothing to lose by telling the truth,unless there is someone else he is protecting.I am not being a theorist, just a little common sense would tell you that.There is no other reason for him to lie about it.
I think if anything she's the cover for a homosexual affair. I wouldn't be a bit surprised.
at this point it would take alot more than that to suprise me.who knows? maybe she had more than 1 source of information.If all she wanted was information she would be smart not to have all her eggs in one basket.
Uh Mr. Petraeus...your pants are on fire.
i am beginning to wonder why the General would even bother speaking,nobody is listening.I would'nt waste my time if i had already been condemned and sentenced.it would be like talking to my X-wife.
This is Petraeus' version of, "but I did not inhale!"
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Broadwell’s security clearance and access to classified material was suspended because of an address she gave to an alumni symposium on Oct. 26 at the University of Denver, which appeared on the video-sharing site YouTube. Broadwell holds a master's degree in international study from the school.
As those who read EVERYTHING may already know, Paula Broadwell had her own security clearances and access to classified information as an Intelligence Officer! She was apparently stripped of the clearance after referring to some classified information during her speech at University of Denver.
it looks like she has not mastered the meaning of the word.Classified.Based on that alone ,her security clearance would be revoked and a board of inquery would be convened by her superior command.
She revealed that the CIA was holding two Libyan militiamen at the annex, and the attack on the consulate may have been an attempt to free those prisoners. No wnder the CIA is misinforming the White House and Susan Rice until they get the situation in Libya under their control.
it's Petraeus's Business Alone! I just wonder how big he is....what a man
well jake at least she is decent looking..lol better than some i have seen around...lol
There was a time when I use to be conserned about the validity of conspiracy theories. Now I don't worry about such things because it is plain that our officials are just a bunch of bungling idiots. I'll bet when foreigners need a good laugh, they just go and read the US news. Better than comedy.