The Lower Moreland High School graduate whose complaint to the FBI allegedly helped trigger the federal investigation of retired General David Petraeus is now being linked to another high ranking military official, according to NBC News. U.S. General John Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, is under investigation over allegations of “inappropriate” emails with 37-year-old Jill Kelley, according to officials. A senior defense official told reporters Tuesday that it was alleged there had been “inappropriate communications” between Allen and Kelley. The official said the investigation involved some 20,000 to 30,000 pages of material, mostly emails, which were sent from 2010 to 2012.
The Petraeus scandal emerged after Kelley complained to the FBI about receiving anonymous threatening emails, according to NBC News. The complaints of email harassment led to the discovery of an affair between Petraeus and his biographer, Paula Broadwell, government sources told NBC News.
Kelley lived in the Philadelphia area until her mid-20s *NBC10 also learned Kelley graduated from Lower Moreland High School in the early 1990s. On Monday, NBC10 spoke with Kelley’s brother, David Khawam, an attorney in Westmont, N.J., who said his sister “took real issue with” the emails she received from Broadwell.
"And when she took issue with it, she didn't realize that this was going to spark a maelstrom," Khawan said.
Khawam said he was outraged by certain headlines suggesting Petraeus also had an affair with Kelley.
"It's completely ridiculous," said Khawam. "Now I know I'm her brother so it sounds like I have a bias. But my sister, number one, is a mother. She has three kids and she's extremely dedicated to those kids. Number two, she's a wife. And she's extremely dedicated to her husband and he to her. So for her to have an affair with General Petraeus is completely ludicrous. She's been friends with him."
Kelley left her home Sunday night along with her three kids after facing a barrage of media. Kelley's parents currently live in Washington Crossing, Pa. No one answered when NBC10 went to their home on Monday. Khawam says they're distressed for their daughter. He also says his recent communication with his sister has been brief.
"The conversations I've had with her were basically, 'I love you and we're here for you for whatever you need,'" said Khawam. "This is something that's going to brand her for life."
We reached out again to Khawam today for comment about the recent allegations of inappropriate emails between Kelley and U.S. General John Allen.
"We haven't spoken about it," said Khawam. "My only concern is her welfare, my niece's welfare and my brother-in-law's welfare."
Khawam continued to defend his sister.
"As far as I'm concerned my sister is a hero for what she did," said Khawam. "I don't think she intended to be one. But the more I'm reading and if it's true, she could have averted a crisis. When you have somebody who could be pathological who was in a relationship with somebody who has such a highly esteemed position such as General Petraeus, it could only turn bad."
