Previous
Political sex scandals: Who survived, who didn't, and why
Revelations of an extramarital affair ended the political career of David Petraeus, who resigned as CIA director Nov. 9. But sex scandals are not necessarily fatal to political ambition. Against all odds, some politicians survive them. How do they do it? Here’s a list of notable politicos whose careers continued in spite of their slips – and some who didn’t, and found themselves looking for work in the private sector.
David Petraeus walks with his wife Holly (l.) past a seated Paula Broadwell (r.) as he arrives to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee during a hearing on his nomination to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency on June 23, 2011. Petraeus resigned Nov. 9 after acknowledging an extramarital relationship. (Cliff Owen/AP/File)
1. David Petraeus: goner
David Petraeus resigned as the Central Intelligence Agency director on Nov. 9, 2012, immediately before news broke of his extramarital affair with Paula Broadwell, an army reservist who wrote his biography, “All In: The Education of General Petraeus.”
The FBI linked Mr. Petraeus to Ms. Broadwell while investigating an e-mail harassment complaint against Broadwell made by Jill Kelley, a family friend of the retired four-star general. The investigation turned up explicit exchanges between Broadwell and Petraeus, who began their affair after he became CIA director in September 2011, a former Petraeus associated told the Associated Press.
Broadwell started her research for Petraeus’s biography in 2009, when he became the US Central Command chief, and she traveled with him in Afghanistan when he served as the US troops commander. Former Petraeus aides told the Washington Post that Broadwell's access to the general was "disconcerting."
Petraeus remains silent on the affair, except for a statement he sent to CIA employees on Friday.
“Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours,” he said.
– Allison Terry, correspondent
These comments are not screened before publication. Constructive debate about the above story is welcome, but personal attacks are not. Please do not post comments that are commercial in nature or that violate any copyright[s]. Comments that we regard as obscene, defamatory, or intended to incite violence will be removed. If you find a comment offensive, you may flag it.