David Petraeus Praised by Socialite Jill Kelley
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FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Tampa, Fla., socialite Jill Kelley is apparently happy that retired Gen. David Petraeus is now making an effort to rehabilitate his image following his resignation as CIA director last November, when he admitted to an extramarital affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell.
It was threatening emails from Broadwell sent anonymously to Kelley that spurred her to contact the FBI, which eventually led agents to discover the dalliance between Petraeus and the author of his biography, All In: The Education of General David Petraeus.
Kelley was also good friends with Gen. John Allen, the former NATO commander in Afghanistan, whose association with her came under Pentagon scrutiny, although it was determined that nothing untoward occurred.
Daily Beast writer Howard Kurtz asked Kelley how she felt about Petraeus’ speech to veterans in Los Angeles Tuesday night in which he apologized twice for the behavior that led to his downfall.
Kelley told Kurtz, “I’m very happy to see my friend General Petraeus back in the public light. He is an icon to our military, and an asset to our country and the free world. Nothing can reduce or will take away his tremendous accomplishments.”
As for what happens next, Kelley speculated, “I do not believe the last chapter of General Petraeus has been written…and anticipate his best is yet to come.”
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