Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on Tuesday voiced his support for former CIA Director David Petraeus after he reached a plea deal with the Justice Department over charges that he provided classified information to his mistress.
“With the Department of Justice investigation now complete, General Petraeus has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. He has apologized and expressed deep regret for this situation, and I believe it is time to consider this matter closed,” McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement.
“At a time of grave security challenges around the world, I hope that General Petraeus will continue to provide his outstanding service and leadership to our nation, as he has throughout his distinguished career,” he added.
Petraeus will plead guilty to one count of unauthorized removal and retention of classified material, according to a DOJ spokesman.
Under the terms of the deal, which must still be approved by a judge, he will receive two year’s and pay a $40,000 fine.
The bargain allows Petraeus to avoid a trial that could publicly divulge more details of his extramarital affair with Paula Broadwell, who wrote a biography of him about his career as a soldier and Army general.