Petraeus Mistress Had “Substantial” Classified Data On Computer

A computer used by Paula Broadwell, the woman whose affair with CIA director General David Petraeus led to his resignation, contained substantial classified information that should have been stored under more secure conditions, law enforcement and national security officials said on Wednesday.

The contents of the classified material and how Broadwell acquired it remain under investigation, said the officials. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to comment publicly.

But the quantity of classified material found on the computer was significant enough to warrant a continuing investigation, the officials told Reuters.

President Barack Obama told a news conference on Wednesday that there was no indication so far that any classified documents had been disclosed as a result of the scandal but said he will not prejudge the investigation results.

Petraeus scandal: distraction from Benghazi probe?

The scandal that led to the resignation of the CIA Chief David Petraeus has robbed intelligence committees of his testimony about the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi killing four Americans, including US Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens. Petraeus had personally flown to Libya on a fact-finding mission in late October.

Republican senators and representatives – and at least one top Democrat – have urged the former Afghanistan general to testify, despite his resignation from his post as CIA director.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said it was “absolutely imperative” for the Senate to hear from Petraeus.

Petraeus was scheduled to testify at a Senate Intelligence hearing on Benghazi, set for 2:30 p.m. Thursday, but because of his resignation in light of the disclosure of his affair with biographer Paula Broadwell, Petraeus will no longer speak there.

On the day Petraeus announced his resignation, Rep. Peter King, R-Iowa, said on CNN there were answers to questions on the Benghazi attack “that only he has.”

“He’s an absolutely necessary witness,” King said.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said “it is absolutely essential” for Petraeus to speak to the Senate Intelligence Committee.

“I don’t see how in the world you can find out what happened in Benghazi before, during and after the attack if Gen. Petraeus doesn’t testify,” Graham said.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney today said the president had no say in whether Petraeus will speak about the Sept. 11 attack in Libya.

“It is up to Congress to make decisions about who is called to testify,” Carney said, “but the president is confident that Acting Director Morell is fully informed and capable of representing the CIA in a hearing about the incident in Benghazi.”