Petraeus Retains Robert Barnett, But Isn't Planning to Write a Book
No book is planned. But former CIA Director David Petraeus has retained a lawyer known for his big book deals to help him navigate his reentry into private life.
Partner Robert B. Barnett of Williams & Connolly is also known for helping politicians including former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush of Congress shift gears as they exited public office, according to Politico and Reuters.
Politico says Barnett and the retired four-star general had met and talked a few times over the years.
Petraeus admittedly stepped down as CIA chief earlier this month due to an extramarital affair. Media reports say it was with his biographer, Paula Broadwell. Her home was recently searched by FBI agents seeking information about classified documents in her possession, but she has not been accused of any wrongdoing and he says he never shared any classified documents with her, another Reuters article reports.
Relying on unidentified investigators, the Associated Press says a number of the documents found in Broadwell’s home were old and in fact may not have been still classified, even though they were stamped as classified.
The AP also says Petraeus is now being investigated internally by the CIA, concerning possible inappropriate behavior on his part such as perhaps using the agency’s resources for the affair. However, there is no accusation of wrongdoing on his part.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Paula Broadwell Lawyers Up”
ABAJournal.com: “Another Woman at the Center of the Petraeus Scandal Has Retained Counsel”
ABAJournal.com: “Media Interest In Petraeus Scandal Casts Spotlight on Florida Lawyer’s Life”
