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Mandel Ngan / AFP - Getty Images
A June 23, 2011, file photo shows Paula Broadwell, second from left, watching as Gen. David Petraeus and his wife, Holly Petraeus arrive for a Senate Select Intelligence Committee hearing on Petraeus' nomination to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
What began with David Petraeus’ surprise resignation as CIA director on Friday resulting from an extramarital affair has now spiraled into a complicated story of infidelity, intrigue and politics.
Petraeus’ admission of an extramarital affair quickly led to his biographer, Paula Broadwell, and an examination of her relationship with the decorated war hero. The length of the FBI’s investigation of “menacing” emails sent to Petraeus’ family friend Jill Kelley, and the timing of the announcement of his departure from the Obama administration fueled conspiracy theories. Then Gen. John Allen, Petraeus’ successor as military commander in Afghanistan, was embroiled in the scandal, accused by U.S. officials of sending “inappropriate” emails to Kelley.
To help you keep the facts straight, NBC News has compiled this timeline, based on reporting by NBC News and other published accounts:
Spring 2006 -- Paula Broadwell meets Gen. David Petraeus, when she introduces herself after he gave a speech at Harvard's Kennedy School, where Broadwell was working on a master's degree, the Wall Street Journal reported.
October 2008 -- Petraeus takes over as head of U.S. Central Command, based at MacDill Air Force Base. While serving there, he reportedly meets Jill Kelley and her husband, Dr. Scott Kelley. She is described in various accounts as a volunteer “social liaison” between the community and the base.
2008 -- Broadwell begins her doctoral dissertation, "a case study of General Petraeus’ leadership," according to Rolling Stone magazine.
June 2009 -- Broadwell and her husband, Scott, purchase a home in Charlotte, N.C., the Charlotte Observer reports.
June 2010 -- Petraeus is named as replacement for Gen. Stanley McChrystal as the top commander in Afghanistan after the latter makes impolitic remarks to a Rolling Stone reporter. Broadwell decides to turn her dissertation into a book.
July 2010-July 2011 – According to an online biography of Broadwell that was taken down after Petraeus’ resignation, she made multiple trips to Afghanistan during this period, where she “embedded with the general, his headquarters staff and his soldiers on the front lines of fighting across Afghanistan to chronicle the experiences of this American general as they are brought to bear in the terrible crucible of war.”
Aug. 31, 2011 -- Petraeus retires from the U.S. Army, departs Afghanistan.
Sept. 6, 2011 -- Petraeus takes over as director of the CIA.
Steven Boylan, a former spokesman for Gen. David Petraeus, discusses how the affair with biographer Paula Broadwell started, saying the general is "embarrassed and keenly aware of the hurt and pain he's caused."
Early November 2011 – According to former Petraeus spokesman Steve Boylan, who had spoken to his former boss after his resignation, Petraeus' affair with Broadwell began around this time, approximately two months after he took the CIA job.
January 2012 – “All In, The Education of General David Petraeus,” by Paula Broadwell with Vernon Loeb is published by Penguin Press.
May 2012 – “Menacing” emails – five to 10 of them, according to the Wall Street Journal -- began arriving in Jill Kelley's inbox, NBC’s Michael Isikoff and Pete Williams report.
Emails on 'comings and goings' of Petraeus, other military officials escalated FBI concerns
June 2012 – The FBI investigation begins. A source close to Kelley tells Isikoff that she took the emails, which she viewed as harassing or menacing, to the FBI. The source said the anonymous emails didn’t mention Petraeus by name, but subsequent emails – sent from multiple alias accounts -- contained references to the "comings and goings" of high-level military officials -- including events that were not on any public schedule. This raised the question as to whether somebody had access to sensitive -- and classified -- information about the CIA director.
T.Ortega Gaines / Charlotte Observer via Reuters
Paula Broadwell is pictured before embarking on a national book tour to promote "All In," her biography of Gen. David Petraeus.
July 2012 – Approximate end of the affair between Broadwell and Petraeus, according to former Petraeus spokesman Steve Boylan, who tells NBC’s Kristen Welker in early November that it ended “about four months ago.”
Late summer -- Attorney General Eric Holder is told that agents have discovered an email link between Petraeus and Broadwell, which included exchange of “explicit details of a sexual nature,” according to the Wall Street Journal.
September – FBI agents interview Paula Broadwell for first time, NBC’s Pete Williams reports.
Oct. 27 -- House Majority Leader Eric Cantor speaks to an FBI agent who had worked on the Petraeus investigation, according to Cantor spokesman Doug Heye. The agent-- who had originally contacted Rep. Dave Reichert, a Republican from Washington -- raised concerns that "sensitive information" relating to Petraeus may have been "compromised," Heye said. The timing of the tip to Reichert is not clear.
Week of Oct. 29 – FBI agents interview Petraeus and Broadwell (for a second time), according to NBC’s Michael Isikoff.
Approximately Oct. 30-31 – Somewhere around this time frame, Petraeus traveled to Tripoli to conduct his own personal inquiry into Benghazi, according to author Bob Woodward, appearing on "Meet the Press" on Nov. 11. NBC’s Andrea Mitchell confirmed that Petraeus had recently traveled to Libya.
NBC's Andrea Mitchell and the Washington Post's Bob Woodward visit Meet the Press to examine the fallout from CIA chief David Petraeus' extramarital affair.
Oct. 31 – After conferring with his chief of staff, Steve Stombres, and Richard Cullen, a former attorney general of Virginia, Cantor had Stombres call the FBI chief of staff to relay the information he had received from the FBI agent, NBC News has reported.
Nov. 1 -- Cantor aide Steve Stombres is told by the FBI that it cannot confirm or deny an investigation, but the bureau official assured the leader's office it was acting to protect national security.
Nov. 2 – The FBI concludes its investigation, according to NBC News’ Michael Isikoff, citing senior U.S. law enforcement official; the last FBI interviews with both Broadwell and Petraeus also took place this day, NBC’s Pete Williams reports, citing federal officials.
Nov. 6 – Justice Department informs Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.
Nov. 7 – Clapper informs the White House.
Nov. 8 – Petraeus calls White House Deputy Chief of Staff Thomas Donilon and asks to see the president, NBC’s Andrea Mitchell reports. The White House tells Obama of the FBI investigation of Petraeus and his admission of an extramarital affair.
Nov. 9 – Obama accepts Petraeus’ resignation; Senate and House leaders first learn of it from media calls. They then speak to Petraeus, but don’t hear directly from the president, Mitchell reported.
Nov. 11 – Jill Kelley and her husband, Scott, issue statement: "We and our family have been friends with Gen. Petraeus and his family for over five years. We respect his and his family's privacy and want the same for us and our three children."
Afghanistan military commander Gen. John Allen investigated for 'inappropriate' emails
Chuck Burton / AP
FBI agents carry boxes and a computer from the home of Paula Broadwell in Charlotte, N.C.
Nov. 12 – In a surprise statement during a trip to Australia, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announces that U.S. General John Allen, who succeeded Petraeus as military commander in Afghanistan, is under investigation over allegations he exchanged “inappropriate” emails with Kelley, the woman who triggered the investigation of Petraeus. Meanwhile, FBI agents carry out a four-hour “consensual search” of Broadwell’s home in Charlotte, N.C., leaving with eight to 10 cardboard boxes.
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The key phrase here is "embedded with the General!"
Oh what strange stories bedded fellows create!
This is not a problem for me. It frankly, should not be a problem for anybody. I mean , come on , this a Democratic administration. It's not like these are Republicans waging their famous "war on women". It should be no ones business if you cheat on your wife and embarass your family. So you have no morals, big deal, that's a huge voting block and the Republicans certainly don't want any part of that. I watch FOX because the women are hot. I must be a Democrat..
Here are the questions no one in the controlled media is asking:
01) Who paid for Kranz Broadwell perpetual schooling?
02) Who paid for her trips to Afghanistan?
03) When exactly did she get an advance from the book publisher, and was Petraeus confirmed as a collaborator?
04) How much, exactly, was the advance?
05) What was the first print run, and before this scandal, what percentage of the first print run had NOT sold?
06) Is it possible Petraeus has been destoryed because a) he broke it off and b) the book was not selling?
07) Has Kranz Broadwell every visited Israel?
08) How close is Jill Kelley to Lebanese officials?
09) Why is Banghazi not in the news? Why is the absence of Hillary Clinton and David Petraeus from the hearings not being made an issue of?
10) Has anyone other than me connected the car bomb death of the Lebanese general helping CIA with its arms smuggling, to Benghazi, to Syrian government action?
Learn more at Phi Beta Iota the Public Intelligence Blog ()
Can any one say.....Wag the Dog???
So when is Kelley going to pose in Playboy ?
The timing of the unveiling of the Petraeus case is interesting, to say the least, and very convenient for some.
since wen is it the juris-dickon of da fbi, to lok at da color ov everibodies under-wear?? w.t.f.? hoes abot u gurls go out an fnd terriorists!! gee; jhoos abot u guys go out an fnd embezelors,counterfiters, and leave da book writen to us!! if da dirty wet-panties wans to write about her orgasms, so wat?? taylor dumsie dunt weqar a dress butt 1'st?! so free PUSSIE RIOT!
Our damn NEWS MEDIA sucks! We can't get them to talk about the corrupt Republican corporate MONARCHY that has MADE SLAVES of the 99% American People, but they can BULL$HIT like crazy over such a minor item as Adultery!!! Let the damn man alone!! He has to live with himself, WE DON'T! And, we don't give a damn!!
'TR' Rose II
I must be in the 1% that the dem always talk about. I am not a slave to any man or orginization and the funny part of it, with my income I am in the lower-er-er middle class.
Ever notice how today's high-ranking U.S. military officers have so many decorations they barely have enough space to display them all? Compare photos of today's generals with those of generals from World War II, such as Gen. Eisenhower, on whom you might see two or three rows of ribbons at the most.
Nowadays they must give medals just for showing up at work.
I'm not saying a career in the military is a cake walk, but compared to the Brits - our military gives out medals like participation trophies.
But the British are pretty generous with unearned decorations for their royalty...
NBC--so much time on this story, but how is your reporting on Benghazi going? 4 Americans die because the Obama administration denied their repeated requests for help months, days, hours, and minutes before they were murdered. Petraeus sleeps with a woman who is not his wife, and NBC has spent countless days and countless words reporting on this, but has spent about 1 day reporting on Benghazi. When did NBC become the Enquirer?
Who really cares about the affairs, whose sleeping with who, definetly not something I want to hear about, or read about on-going. Haven't heard much about his wife, feel most bad for her, BUT-People in high ranking positions in the military/national security, should be held to the highest standard. How important is it? Can't you keep it in your pants? Extremely disappointed.
Court martila this guy for bad taste. The hooker in Kennybunkport has more class. What can you expect from a GOP Tea Bagger. One of those good old boys that thought he was above the law. Shame on you. Waht a disgrace to the military uniform. Colin Powell was and still is a man and former General of the highest standards. Thank goodness he finally decided to leave the GOP and Tea Baggers
More honest than Clinton who denied "having sexual relations with that woman." Petraeus did not deny his affair, Clinton was struggling with the truth and the English language.
dmill-3826165
Shows how much you pay attention. He WAS NOT IN THE MILITARY when this happen. He is NOT SUBJECT to the UCMJ.
Damn can't you lefties read and comprehend or do you need obama or the dnc to tell you what to think and say.
It depends on what the definition of "is" is...
Damn can you righties think for yourselves or do you need Rush Limbaugh and Fox News to tell you what to think?
All these people ('Ladies' first) involved need to be deeply 'probed' & 'investigated' repeatedly untill at least SOMEONE comes forth with the TRUTH (smilling)!!!
There was a time when a mans sex life was his own business..Since when is what people do in their bedrooms have anything to do with their job? Are we living in a time Big Brother is watching us,sex is a crime and the Media is Big Brother? ...Plus when did it become appropriate for the media to dig up this type of private matter and report it as if its actual news...Im looking forward to the day when a man stands up to the media and says so what?...I had sex...but its no one elses business ok!..Now go away and do your job and give us the real news you morons! Now that would be news worth reporting..
Drama, bullsh1t, and reality-television nonsense in a country devoid of integrity and long on self-serving, short-sighted morons...go figure.
Hilarious, really hilarious. Can't decide which one of these narcissistic idiots is the bigger fool! The woman who spends her life ingratiating herself to the military industrial complex for... charitable purposes? ...ends up taking down two Generals over a catty email... How dare someone think that about me! Full on viral now, couldn't see that coming! Whatta mean I can’t delete my Gmails permanently? The clinger whose entire persona seems to be about being a General's "avatar" ends up being the one to take him down? Or how about the shirtless FBI agent trying to get into the knickers off a woman whose character seems opportunistic enough that the clinger felt compelled to try to warn her off? The socialite never realized that her email stalker and the shirtless FBI guy she went to for help shared the same opinion of her? And the Generals, gee whiz, guess West Point should come up with some kind of integrity course. What do you think, full length feature or a Lifetime special?
By the way, the primary message from all of this? The FBI apparently now has the time and resources to 'back trace' posts on message boards, so be civil will you? And stop ordering escorts from the adverts that no longer exist on Craig's List.
I also saw where one of the FBI agents sent the Kelly woman an email with a photo of the agent shirtless. By the way, Petraeus can still be called to testify before Congress. His resignation does not make him immune.
Petraeus can say more now because he is not obligated to the CIA or Obama's threats. Should be interesting.
Barb210:
I agree!
I don't think he needed to resign. He may need to get thing right with his wife, but he didn't do anything to hurt the US, So he was shaging some kumbucket that obviously was chasing him. PB is like your typical "camp follower" or "groupie" He was no doubt flattered by her advances, and stupidly gave in.
I am sure Holly Petraus is a very nice lady. But lets be honest. If you had a choice of banging Paula Broadwell, or going home to a frumpy-bumpy Holly, well, the choice is pretty clear to me. she definitely looks like a good ride!
I hope Paula Broadwells husband divorces the beeatch, and takes half of her book money.. Floooze.
Shawn D
If Holly divorces 'PB' then she gets HALF his Military Pension.
T-R-O, Your right, I hope Holly kicks General Petraus's cheatin ass too! BUT, I still think he could have kept his job. It was for God and Country, He was only givin Paula a lesson in interrogation. Just "probing" around.
We know more about this in 3 days than we do about Bengahzi in over 2 months...something is wrong...why doesn't the press go after Bengahzi like this? Guess Obama's little gift $$$$ to the so called main stream media is working....
stan, why do you ask why the press hasn't been all over Benghazi? Do you fear its just another liberal conspiracy to destroy the earth? You know you can get ALL the "unbiased and honest"info you need about Benghazi. Just turn on Fox tonight, listen to Sean Hannity, and Billy O. Fox no-spin, no-bull, commentary stars. They are never wrong you know. They have ALL the answers for you about Benghazi. Of course, now that the Muttster has been dispatched, (they were right there, huh?) they have nothing else to talk about anyways.
I do not watch Fox nor do I listen to Rush..I read different news outlets...including BBC to get an idea what others are thinking....As for a liberal conspiracy who knows do you? or are you taking BO's word for it..sort of like Clinton, or Nixon? time will tell..
True, true, stan. Just assuming all the folks posting about Benghazi, as if it were the worse crime in the history of politics, without even having the facts, have been listening to the talking heads on Fox push this conspiracy theory. I do appologize. Not everybody is that freekin stupid. Glad to hear you are not..
I do not take any politicians word, for anything. I made that mistake before when I believed "No, I did not have sex with that woman" and "Iraq is absolutely full of WMDs, we just need to find them"
who cares! he cheated like 1/2 the population does, so what, big !@#%$!@#$ deal! they all cheat and lie and im sure a lot worse things happen that we never hear about
So sad. He looked so happy in that first picture with his mother and his mistress.
Why is this even news he is a soldier not a saint people make mistakes grow up and get over it.
The people hurt by all this are the spouses and the children. I know you don't care who sleeps with who but they do. To be married to someone you love and have children with them, and then have your spouse do something so thoughtless is hurtful. My condolences to them.
The betrayal is hard enough on the family without the media blasting it all over the world. I think the French president said it best during the whole Clinton Lewinsky bit that the American public doesn't want a president, or in this case a leader, they want a saint.
john-3226351
No he was Wrong... AMERICA did not want a LIAR in the White House.
Paula should re-name the book:
All in ME! The Seduction of General Petraus
That conivin beeatch, I bet she planned this all along. Just think of her booksales now.
is the name of the book "ALL IN"? VERY APPROPRIATE NAME. SHE INDEED GOT IT all, BUT ALL IN, including him.