The FBI later found that Petraeus shared eight “black books” of secret codes, highly sensitive diplomatic information and wartime strategies with Broadwell in 2011. At the time, she was writing, “All In,” Petraeus’ biography.
None of the classified information appeared in the book, documents say. Broadwell was not charged in connection with the emails she sent to Petraeus’ friend. Legal experts say that because she was working as a journalist when she received the classified material from Petraeus, any government prosecution would be harder to prove.
Broadwell was never charged over her email to Petraeus's friend, aka the Real Housewife of Tampa. She'll probably dodge this bullet too.
Petraeus apologized for his "mistake."
“Today marks the end of a 21/2-year ordeal that resulted from mistakes that I made,” Petraeus read as television helicopters thumped overhead. “I now look forward to moving on with the next phase of my life and continuing to serve our great nation as a private citizen.”
The Judge more than doubled the fine called for in the plea agreement to $100k. The prosecutor sounded miffed that he got off so light.
Asked after the sentencing if Petraeus’ punishment was sufficient given the nature of his crime, Rose told the Observer: “This is plea agreement that (Holder) felt was appropriate in this case.”
What he did, via Politico:
Petraeus was accused of taking copious notes on top-secret matters in “black books” during his time as commander of U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan, which began in 2010. According to the indictment, the retired four-star general kept the books a secret from the Department of Defense and CIA and then shared the books’ classified contents with Broadwell.
When a Department of Defense official tasked with gathering any classified materials still in Petraeus’ possession asked about remaining materials, Petraeus lied about possessing the books and about sharing them with his biographer, according to the indictment. The books were ultimately seized from an unlocked desk drawer at Petraeus’ residence by FBI agents executing a search warrant in April 2013.
It sounds like this was all about his memoirs, which he thought were more important than his obligation to follow the law regarding classified information -- he probably thought he was morally entitled to copy the information. That character flaw alone should make whatever huge corporation or think tank that has hired him or is considering hiring him pause and think twice.
