Military

Pentagon Apparently Will Let David Petraeus Keep His 4 Stars

A letter from the Pentagon reveals that U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter might not demote retired Gen. David Petraeus.

Pentagon Apparently Will Let David Petraeus Keep His 4 Stars
Getty Images / Mark Wilson
SMS

Retired Gen. David Petraeus gets to keep his four stars.

The Defense Department was reportedly considering demoting Petraeus to a three-star general after he mishandled classified information.

But a short letter obtained by multiple news outlets reveals Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has decided to take no further action against Petraeus.

Petraeus pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of mishandling classified information last April.

Specifically, he had gave eight notebooks with classified material to his biographer, Paula Broadwell — the same woman he admitted to having an affair with.

A demotion to three-star general would have reportedly cost Patreaus tens of thousands of dollars in retirement payments.

This video includes images from Getty Images.