Paula Broadwell Cleared of Cyberstalking in Petraeus Probe
Paula Broadwell, the ex-mistress of former CIA Director David Petraeus, will reportedly not face cyberstalking charges over her alleged stalking of a rumored love rival.
In a letter released by Broadwell's attorney Robert Muse, the U.S. Attorney's office in Tampa confirmed that the 40-year-old mother of two had been cleared of any wrongdoing, according to CNN.com.
"Our office has determined that no federal charges will be brought in the Middle District of Florida related to alleged acts of cyber-stalking," Assistant U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow wrote.
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Broadwell, who was accused of harassing Tampa socialite Jill Kelley via email, is said to be relieved that the matter has been resolved.
"She's pleased with the prosecutor's decision and glad it's been resolved," a source told CNN.
Broadwell, a self-proclaimed "over-achiever," first began working with Petraeus as a Harvard University researcher after meeting him in 2006. She later wrote his biography, "All In: The Education of General David Petraeus," which was published in February.
She reportedly began having an affair with Petraeus, the longtime husband of his wife Holly and a father of two, in 2011. Their affair was later uncovered by the FBI after Kelley complained to authorities after allegedly receiving threatening emails from Broadwell.
Petraeus, who served in the military for 37 years and was sworn in as head of the CIA in September 2011, cited his inappropriate relationship with Broadwell as the reason for his resignation in November.
"I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair. Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours," Petraeus said in his letter.
Kelley, who was reportedly told to "stay away" from Petraeus in Broadwell's emails, was initially suspected to be Petraeus' second mistress. Recent reports, however, have tied her to General John R. Allen, a married father of two and commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan.
