Petraeus: Resignation Not Connected to Upcoming Benghazi Testimony

Former CIA Director David Petraeus maintains his resignation was not connected to his scheduled testimony about the September attack that killed four Americans in Benghazi, Libya, according to CNN.
 

Petraeus made his comments to CNN’s sister network HLN in a conversation with Kyra Phillips, and confirmed to her what his supporters also have maintained.

“In our first conversation,” Phillips said Thursday, Petraeus “had told me he had engaged in something dishonorable. He sought to do the honorable thing in response — and that was to come forward. He was very clear that he screwed up terribly . . . even felt fortunate to have a wife who is far better than he deserves.”

Editor's Note: CIA Tactics, Strategies and Secrets Revealed

Since the scandal broke, Petraeus told Phillips he has not spoken with Paula Broadwell, his biographer, with whom he admitted having an affair.

“He insisted to me that he has never passed classified information to Paula Broadwell,” Phillips said. “He said this has nothing to do with Benghazi, and he wants to testify. He will testify.”

Petraeus is expected to voluntarily testify before the House Intelligence Committee Friday.

 

Phillips said the former CIA director told her he didn't try to convince his bosses that he should remain on the job once he admitted the affair, and "has maintained to me all along this was a personal failing."

Petraeus, 60, reportedly has not been following the news surrounding  his resignation.

"He wants to maintain a distance and focus on his family at this time," his aide, retired Col. Peter Mansoor, has said.