US weighs criminal charges for Petraeus

[Lite Beer]

US weighs criminal charges for Petraeus
ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is weighing bringing criminal charges against former CIA Director David Petraeus over the handling of classified information, a U.S. official said Friday night. Investigators have presented senior-level Justice Department officials such as Attorney General Eric Holder with information on the case to help inform a decision on charging the former four-star general, the official said.

The official was not authorized to discuss the investigation by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Robert Barnett, a lawyer for Petraeus, declined to comment Friday night, as did Marc Raimondi, a spokesman for the Justice Department.

Federal investigators have been looking into whether Petraeus improperly shared classified materials with his biographer, Paula Broadwell, with whom he admitted having an affair when he resigned from his position in November 2012. Agents found a substantial number of classified documents on Broadwell's computer and at her home, a law enforcement official has previously said.

Both have publicly apologized for the relationship. They have said their romantic relationship began only after he retired from the military and started at the CIA.

The scandal marked an abrupt fall for Petraeus, a man who led U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and was thought to be a potential candidate for president. Since leaving the agency, he still makes relatively regular speaking appearances to discuss military combat and national security, including at a Sept. 11 commemoration event in Denver.

It was not immediately clear when any decision would be made on whether to charge Petraeus.

The New York Times reported Friday evening that prosecutors had recommended to Holder that Petraeus be charged and that the attorney general, who plans to leave his position as soon as his successor is confirmed, had been expected to make a decision by the end of last year.

Holder and FBI Director James Comey are frequently quizzed during Capitol Hill appearances about the status of the Petraeus investigation, with some members of Congress critical over the amount of time the investigation has taken.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, told The Associated Press on Friday night that he was frustrated by the pace of the investigation and wanted a decision made soon.

"We need clarity one direction or another — either charge and prosecute him or declare his innocence and let him get on with his life," Chaffetz said. "What's intolerable is to have an American hero in limbo for literally years."

During a meeting with reporters at FBI headquarters last month, Comey was asked if he could say why the investigation had taken so long. Comey said he could, but would not.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-01-10

[NeverSure]

Petraeus had it all going for him. A great career in the military with a good pension, then double dipping by working for the CIA, and even rumored as a candidate for President.

He was a smart man who like so many, gave it up for some woman.

Often in the US pundits and cartoonists refer to him as "General Betrayus" which rhymes with his name.

What a steep and long fall from grace.

[willyumiii]

American hero????

He led troops in two American invasions that should never have happened.

That makes him a hero?

[Ulysses G.]

Leave him alone. Like most guys, he started thinking with the wrong head.

[neverdie]

Leave him alone. Like most guys, he started thinking with the wrong head.

Close friend of Clintons ?

[MisterTee]

Forget Betraeus - go for Bush and Cheney.

[OMGImInPattaya]

A total dweeb.

[TPI]

The poor general, typical of 'merica to flay someone for being human.....how did it effect his job? did the writer try to sell the secrets? Who won and who lost out of all of this? What can the Justice dept say after agreeing to not prosecute GHW Bush for much worse crimes while director?

[Chicog]

Sounds to me like Holder wants to dump this on the next guy.

[Emster23]

"He led troops in two American invasions that should never have happened.

That makes him a hero?"

He was a soldier, following orders for mission, not the politicians who gave him the orders and decided to go to war.... jeez. Unlike some countries I know of, US soldiers take orders from civilian government.

Can't keep secrets from a woman, or at least not for very long......

[Suradit69]

The scandal marked an abrupt fall for Petraeus, a man who led U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and was thought to be a potential candidate for president.

Does that mean the Republicans are left with the pizza guy or another Bush?

[up-country_sinclair]

Leave him alone. Like most guys, he started thinking with the wrong head.

So CIA agents who pass along classified information to their mistresses should be given a pass.

Good to know.

And let's not turn this into (yet again) a partisan issue. By any measure, what Patreus allegedly did was illegal, and if the DOJ doesn't charge him they won't have a leg to stand on similar cases in the future.

Any leniency that is warranted for his service to the country can be determined during sentencing if he is found guilty.

[2fishin2]

American hero????

He led troops in two American invasions that should never have happened.

That makes him a hero?

Facts bro check your facts

[Lissos]

He was a smart man who like so many, gave it up for some woman.

Yep.

[hawker9000]

Should've taken lessons from Lois Lerner...

[ggt]

The REAL question here is...what political motive does this administration have in pressing charges against Petraeus?

[up-country_sinclair]

The REAL question here is...what political motive does this administration have in pressing charges against Petraeus?

1. Who do you think nominated Patreus to be CIA director? Hint: President Obama.

2. What sort of political future do you think Patreus had after this scandal became public in 2012? Hint: None.

3. So what political motive, pray tell, could the Obama administration have in pressing charges? Hint: It's the same answer as 2.

The simple fact is that there is compelling evidence that the Director of the CIA passed confidential information to his reporter girlfriend. That's a crime. A serious one. The DOJ should file charges.

[Mojomor]

Many American generals in the past had mistresses including Eisenhower, MacArthur, and Patton. So why should a recent one be such a big deal?

[up-country_sinclair]

Many American generals in the past had mistresses including Eisenhower, MacArthur, and Patton. So why should a recent one be such a big deal?

Did you read the OP?

He is alleged to have given his mistress classified information. The FBI claims to have found it oh her computer.

Can't imagine that Eisenhower, MacArthur or Patton did that.

[alex8912]

Many American generals in the past had mistresses including Eisenhower, MacArthur, and Patton. So why should a recent one be such a big deal?

Did you read the OP?

He is alleged to have given his mistress classified information. The FBI claims to have found it oh her computer.

Can't imagine that Eisenhower, MacArthur or Patton did that.

None of them had a computer

[Mojomor]

Furthermore, the woman in question had some sort of security clearance, which permitted her to speak with military staff, so the General was obliged to talk with her. She was supposedly conducting research.

[Humberstone]

Even if, as claimed, he had retired from the Army before he passed the confidential information on to his lover, surely he is still liable for prosecution under CIA/Army secrecy agreements and Federal Law?

[Morch]

Leave him alone. Like most guys, he started thinking with the wrong head.

Most guys are not CIA directors, though.

[up-country_sinclair]

It boggles the mind that some here want to give him a pass. He (allegedly) gave classified information to someone who wasn't supposed to have it. Why shouldn't he be charged? If he's found guilty, he'll be very lucky if he doesn't end up in jail.

[Buckeye21]

He still may be a better presidential candidate than some that chose to run.

[up-country_sinclair]

He still may be a better presidential candidate than some that chose to run.

You want to promote him to the highest office in the land? Is there no longer any semblance of accountability? Even when it comes to national security?

If he's charged and found guilty, he's going to jail. And in my opinion it would set a terrible precedent if he's not charged.

[Morch]

He still may be a better presidential candidate than some that chose to run.

That doesn't necessarily mean much....

[hawker9000]

He still may be a better presidential candidate than some that chose to run.

You want to promote him to the highest office in the land? Is there no longer any semblance of accountability? Even when it comes to national security?

If he's charged and found guilty, he's going to jail. And in my opinion it would set a terrible precedent if he's not charged.

Highest office in the land and a "semblance of accountability"?? Brother has THAT train left the station!

[Publicus]

It's accepted in Washington in a transition decision such as this one to hold off until the new person is in the office, in this case Attorney General, who will have to take the heat either way for a sensitive decision, and Gen Petraeus does present a sensitive situation.

US Attorney for New York Loretta Lynch is awaiting Senate confirmation which should come soon. She has a reputation as a hang 'em high federal prosecutor so Gen Petraeus would need to get his ducks in a row. I hope it's not as serious as it looks for this superb general.

FILE- In this April 28, 2014 file photo, Loretta Lynch, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York speaks during a news conference in New York. President Obama chose Loretta Lynch as attorney general on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, ... more >

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/nov/8/obama-names-loretta-lynch-eric-holders-replacement/#ixzz3PV0FUGsR

[GentlemanJim]

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Petraeus had it all going for him. A great career in the military with a good pension, then double dipping by working for the CIA, and even rumored as a candidate for President.

He was a smart man who like so many, gave it up for some woman.

Often in the US pundits and cartoonists refer to him as "General Betrayus" which rhymes with his name.

What a steep and long fall from grace.

I am so glad you pointed that out as so many of us would never have got it