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FBI's Petraeus Probe Faces Inquiry
by Josh Mitchell and Jessica Holzer via jed - Wall Street Journal Sunday, Nov 11 2012, 9:19am
international / prose / post

It seems the dysfunctional CIA, known for its many calamitous failures (9/11, Benghazi) and sordid drug activities, did not appeal to a soldier's temperament and sense of honour. The most persistent rumour to date in relation to Petraeus's shock resignation is that he seized the opportunity his sexual indiscretion provided to end his involvement with the CIA.

Washington—The top Senate Democrat on intelligence issues said Sunday she would investigate the Federal Bureau of Investigation's handling of the inquiry into Central Intelligence Agency chief David Petraeus, including why top lawmakers weren't informed of the investigation before it became public. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.), the chairwoman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said on Fox News Sunday that the question would be part of a congressional inquiry to begin with hearings this week. "We received no advance notice," said Ms. Feinstein, referring to her and other lawmakers on the committee. "It was like a lightning bolt."

Sen. Feinstein also said that she may ask Mr. Petraeus to testify before Congress as part of the inquiry.

Meanwhile, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rep. Peter King (R., N.Y.) called for an investigation into whether the FBI took too long to disclose its findings to the National Security Council and the president.

"It just doesn't add up, the whole time line here," Mr. King, who also serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union" program. "The president should have been informed at the earliest point."

Mr. Petraeus stepped down suddenly on Friday, saying he had an extramarital affair. The affair was discovered by the FBI during an investigation into potentially harassing emails sent by a woman romantically linked to Mr. Petraeus to a second woman, according to people familiar with the matter.

The FBI and prosecutors in North Carolina and Florida began their investigation last spring. Initially, they looked at the possibility that someone had hacked into Mr. Petraeus's emails but later determined no cyber-breach had occurred.

The FBI and Justice Department informed the Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, of their findings early last week. Mr. Clapper informed Obama administration officials on Wednesday.

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