Paula Broadwell, the woman who had an affair with retired Gen. David Petraeus, wants to move on with her life but said the scandal that broke in 2012 has hindered her professional life.
During an in-depth interview with "CBS This Morning" broadcast Thursday, Broadwell said she was even denied a job at a prominent bank because of her reputation.
Co-host Norah O'Donnell asked Broadwell if she feels Petraeus should be able to serve as secretary of State under President-elect Donald Trump. He has been mentioned as a candidate for the job.
"Norah, I think he's [unequivocally] qualified for many positions, but that's not my position to say. I think the president-elect would have to decide and members of the Senate," Broadwell said.
"As I woke up to the news, it was a bit of a shocker that he was being considered for a Cabinet position, and I was — I was both shocked that I'm still in this tenuous position, and yet happy because I think he should be able to go on with his life.
"He's earned it, and so should his family. But then it begged the question of, 'Why shouldn't I be able to go on?'"
Broadwell has several degrees and served 21 years in the military, including in intelligence roles. She's still waiting for the Army to officially approve her resignation.
"So I think I was qualified for this position," Broadwell said of the aforementioned bank job. "But I was told by the military recruiter that it would be front page news if I got hired at the bank, and the bank wouldn't want to deal with that.
"And I realized that's probably true, but it was hard to stomach at the time. I have a degree from the University of Denver in international conflict resolution. I have a degree from Harvard in public policy."
While Broadwell was writing Petraeus' biography in 2012, the two had an affair and Petraeus shared classified information with her. She was never charged with a crime but Petraeus, who resigned from his post as CIA director because of the scandal, was eventually charged with the misdemeanor crime of mishandling classified materials.
His sentence was two years probation and a $100,000 fine.
Broadwell said her family has been supportive in the four years since the scandal made headlines across the world.
"They've been incredibly supportive, and I frankly owe my life to my husband and my children," she said. "They know I made a mistake and that it hurt daddy. And what I talk about with them is that when you make a mistake, you acknowledge it. Yet, you don't dwell on it. And you need to move forward at some point."
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.