Posted on 11/12/2012 10:28:02 PM PST by kristinn
ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT — The FBI probe into the sex scandal that led to the resignation of CIA director David Petraeus has expanded to ensnare Gen. John R. Allen, the commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, the Pentagon announced early Tuesday.
According to a senior U.S. defense official, the FBI has uncovered between 20,000 and 30,000 pages of “potentially inappropriate” emails between Allen and Jill Kelley, a 37-year-old Tampa woman whose close friendship with Petraeus ultimately led to his downfall. Allen, a Marine, succeeded Petraeus as the top allied commander in Afghanistan in July 2011.
The FBI first notified the Pentagon of its investigation into Allen’s communications with Kelley on Sunday evening, according to the senior defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details of the ongoing case.
In response, Pentagon chief Leon E. Panetta referred the investigation to the Defense Department’s Inspector General for further review, according to a statement released by Panetta early Tuesday as he was traveling to Australia.
The latest development in the unfolding scandal has shaken President Obama’s national-security staff and upended his carefully chosen plans for his military and intelligence team in his second term.
It also further calls into question the personal behavior of two of the U.S. military’s highest-ranking and most respected figures, who apparently ignored concerns about the highly sensitive nature of their jobs as they embraced personal relationships with younger women who were not their wives.
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In his statement, Panetta said Allen would remain as commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan for now, “while the matter is under investigation and before the facts are determined.”
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
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Asked whether there was concern about the disclosure of classified information, the official said: "We are concerned about inappropriate communications. We are not going to speculate as to what is contained in these documents."
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said in a statement given to reporters flying with him to Australia that he asked that Allen's nomination to be Commander of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe be delayed "and the president has agreed."
Allen, who is now in Washington, was due to face a Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday, as was his slated successor in Afghanistan, General Joseph Dunford.
The FBI referred the case to the Pentagon on Sunday and Panetta directed the Defense Department's Inspector General to handle the investigation. Panetta informed the top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee during the flight to Australia. The House Armed Services Committee was also notified.
The U.S. defense official said that Allen denied any wrongdoing and that Panetta had opted to keep him in his job while the matter was under review, and until Dunford can be confirmed to replace him - a process that gains urgency given the potentially lengthy review process and the cloud it could cast over the mission in Afghanistan.
"While the matter is under investigation and before the facts are determined, General Allen will remain commander of ISAF," Panetta said, referring to the NATO—led force in Afghanistan.
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The U.S. official said Panetta was informed of the matter involving Allen on Sunday, as he flew to Hawaii, after the Pentagon's top lawyer called Panetta's chief of staff. The White House was informed next.
I can just see him now.
There are twins in the photo. Jill and I don’t know the other one’s name. Maiden name is Khawam, I think.
And it was Hillary's, Livingstone to whom Lantos ask the question. These liberals sure are strange.
How many of our military are gone now? Ham, bunch of naval people....wow, just wow. Scary.
Especially one who looks like a lowland gorilla in drag.
Exactly! And poison the minds of everyone involved before the real story comes out.
Where are the stories of the 4 dead Americans!
It’s a homey trap and it is beiong carried out by enemies to this Republic. I do not know if they are foreign or domestic at this point.
But it could just as easily be Islamic enemies, other foreign nations (Putin...Chinese...etc.) as it could be a Chicago style sting/blackmail/purge operation. Taking out loyal American commanders.
Sad thet they gave in to the temptation that, undoubtedly was literally made bare right before their eyes.
Hitorical bgrapher indeed! I wonder who recommended her?
It all stinks. The FBI breaks this news this past Sunday just days before Gen. Allen’s confirmation hearing? They only today raid Broadwell’s house for document search?
Hopefully, someone finally found out who hired him, or was he left over from GHWBush?
Yep, I had the same feeling about her and the sister.
No, it is two different women.
Now all the ammunition that the government has bought is starting to flip me out.
Treason is in the air.
There is something very fishy about this Arab woman.
What are the odds that the same woman involved in the Betrayus
Outing, is involved in the outing of another top commander.
This story gets stranger by the day.
The already inept GOP will never get a handle on the real Benghzi
issues with all these other freak shows going on.
I wouldn't blame Gen. Dunford if he had a preemptive affair this week to get out of his nomination to be next in line.
Yes it is :-(
Oh let me guess... He'll be so busy "putting his life back together" he won't testify on Thursday either. That means Hillary! will go first. Oh fun, she blew town!
IMHO I don’t think either of these two women are raving beauties. The Broad woman is just plain and the other looks like she could be on Snookie’s show. They both think they are “hot” though!
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