Washington: The Justice Department has decided not to charge David Petraeus’ mistress, Paula Broadwell, with cyberstalking as part of its investigation into an email scandal that led to the resignation of the CIA director.
Broadwell’s lawyer, Robert Muse, said that a letter from U.S. Attorney Robert O`Neill that said no federal charges will be brought in Florida related to ‘alleged acts of cyberstalking’.
According to the New York Daily News, Petraeus resigned as CIA director in November after acknowledging the extramarital affair, which was exposed after Broadwell emailed Tampa socialite Jill Kelley, allegedly warning Kelley to stay away from Petraeus and General John Allen, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan.
Kelley reported the emails to the FBI, triggering an investigation that led the FBI to Kelley`s emails to the married Allen, who is now under investigation by the Pentagon`s inspector general, the report said.
"The decision on whether to bring a prosecution is always a serious matter, and one that should never be undertaken without the most thoughtful deliberation," said Justice Department spokesman William C. Daniels.
"After applying relevant case law to the particular facts of this case, the United States Attorney`s Office for the Middle District of Florida has decided not to pursue a federal case regarding the alleged acts of ``cyberstalking`` involving Paula Broadwell," he added.
A spokesman for Broadwell said that she and her family are "pleased with this decision and pleased that this is resolved."
According to the report, her attorney has not been notified that she is the subject or target of any other Justice Department investigation.
Broadwell, Petraeus`s biographer and a reserve Army officer, is still being investigated by the Pentagon for allegedly mishandling classified information. FBI investigators found a "substantial amount" of material marked classified at her home, the report added.
ANI
