Judge sentences former CIA Director David Petraeus to 2 years probation plus $100,000 fine. What are your thoughts?

2015-04-23T15:22:21-04:00

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ex-cia-director-petraeus-be-sentenced-leaking-classified-material-n346906

Ex-CIA Director David Petraeus Gets Probation, Fine For Leaking Secrets

The former CIA director whose shining career in public service came crashing down after an affair was sentenced Thursday for leaking military secrets.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Apr 23 at 2015 3:23 PM

2015-04-23T15:23:20-04:00

Seems political. He shared journals and notes with his biographer who had a security clearance (bot not an explicit need to know). If she hadn't been his mistress I doubt it would have gone to trial.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 3:25 PM

2015-04-23T15:25:43-04:00

I think this is another case of Rankism, if this was just an "ordinary Joe," the consequences would've been more severe, especially for spilling classified information.

Response by MAJ Jim Steven made Apr 23 at 2015 3:33 PM

2015-04-23T15:33:13-04:00

Probation?? Is that, "if you do it again, you will really be in trouble, mister!"

and like someone pointed out, Snowden just told us our phone calls and emails were being monitored...and he had to get out of dodge....

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Apr 23 at 2015 3:35 PM

2015-04-23T15:35:53-04:00

I think he got damn lucky.

Edit: In more ways than one.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 3:37 PM

2015-04-23T15:37:07-04:00

The judge gave him more than the plea agreement called for.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 3:51 PM

2015-04-23T15:51:33-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member. This is an absolutely outstanding plea deal from General Petraeus perspective . . . he agrees to a misdemeanor (equivalent to a traffic ticket), probation that is not like any other probation (permits unlimited domestic and international travel), and a fine that is equivalent to 5.5 months of one year of his $220,000 annual pension) . . . not bad for him at all. Then again . . . national security issues were never compromised . . . and the draft book would routinely be required to be submitted to censors to remove any national security related material anyway. Another way to look at this . . . the fine is the value of a one hour speaking engagement . . . for which he is paid $100,000 . . . essentially equivalent to one hour of community service. Petraeus gave up twice that amount when he agreed to teach a class at CUNY for $1 instead of the $200,000 CUNY offered him. Don't forget his wife Mrs General Petraeus is also pulling down $187,605 a year in the newly formed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Bottom line . . . no crime . . . no foul . . . the plea deal in this case is just like magic . . . far less meaningful than a slap on the wrist. Warmest Regards, Sandy

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jfthrlClew

Frito Bandito TV Commercial 60's

Too bad we live in a world so uptight that we can't have things like the Frito Bandito anymore. Political Correctness makes life boring. Who wants to walk on...

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 23 at 2015 4:37 PM

2015-04-23T16:37:12-04:00

Interesting.

As a Gun Dealer, this means I could not sell him a firearm. Even though it is a misdemeanor, he could serve over 1 year in prison which makes him ineligible to purchase a firearm.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Apr 23 at 2015 4:56 PM

2015-04-23T16:56:02-04:00

he's rich and powerful so of course he got off light.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 5:42 PM

2015-04-23T17:42:24-04:00

If I did what he did, I could expect to see myself in Leavenworth. He deserves to see the inside of a cell.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 5:54 PM

2015-04-23T17:54:06-04:00

Too severe. It's nice to know that if you piss off certain heads of state, this is what happens.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 5:54 PM

2015-04-23T17:54:53-04:00

He did not deserve to be crucified like this. It was politically motivated.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 6:08 PM

2015-04-23T18:08:18-04:00

If a Sergeant or an analyst had done the same he would get decades in prison. Rankism at it's most obvious.

Response by SFC Miguel Lopez made Apr 23 at 2015 6:35 PM

2015-04-23T18:35:04-04:00

Another case of rank has privileges and protection of the old buddy.

Response by 1SG Brian Adams made Apr 23 at 2015 6:42 PM

2015-04-23T18:42:12-04:00

He was a General Officer and the CIA Director? Sentencing does not fit the crime! I have seen enlisted members that have done less get more punishment then that!

Response by 1SG Brian Adams made Apr 23 at 2015 6:42 PM

2015-04-23T18:42:54-04:00

He was a General Officer and the CIA Director? Sentencing does not fit the crime! I have seen enlisted members that have done less get more punishment then that!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 6:44 PM

2015-04-23T18:44:59-04:00

Lying to the FBI and CIA is a pretty serious crime, I would have given him some time behind bars... not just 2 years probation. This punishment would be appropriate if the only thing he had done was tell to much to his biographer and mishandle classified information.

Response by MSgt Jamie Lyons made Apr 23 at 2015 6:50 PM

2015-04-23T18:50:33-04:00

Ohhhh now I understand what RHIP means...

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Apr 23 at 2015 7:24 PM

2015-04-23T19:24:51-04:00

I think it was politically motivated and can't wait to hear the real story (in 20 or so years). Also, Sandy Berger, Bill Clintons former Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs was caught removing classified material from the National Archives in his pants. Which I would consider a similar though far more serious violation the Gen Petraeus' s and he got a fine and suspended sentence as well.

I've also been thinking...did Bill Clinton leave any briefing books on his desk when he was "discussing politics" with Monica? Or what about all the people in the Obama admin who were given access to classified materials, despite failing their background checks? Or, I wonder how many other executive branch members bring their briefing books home, where their kids or friends may have access to them?

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Apr 23 at 2015 8:19 PM

2015-04-23T20:19:27-04:00

He shouldn't have made those disparaging comments about President Obama.

Response by TSgt Timothy Ryburn made Apr 23 at 2015 8:37 PM

2015-04-23T20:37:01-04:00

Well, for anybody that had to sit in for CENTCOM briefings to this guy back in the day in the desert knows that he had the "moral high ground" of Atilla the Hun. I'm sure that after he serves his probation time, he'll be off running some "Merc for Hire" group in Ecuador for fun...it's kind of his style.

Response by SGT John Wesley made Apr 23 at 2015 9:35 PM

2015-04-23T21:35:48-04:00

It's funny how 65% of you think the sentence wasn't severe enough, while 17% think it was too severe.

Myself personally, I think someone in that position with a high speed whiz bang security clearance, was absolutely wrong. We were always advised that the most common way for an agent to gather Intel was to entice your mark via s*x, drugs or money. The General gave his mistress and a biographer his secret folders.

If you or I did that, we'd be in Leavenworth for ages.

The General got a sweet deal, like all VIP's do in this country.

So, don't blame it on Obama, Hillary or ISIL, blame it on someone who decided his ego was more important than American security protocols.

Response by SPC Michael Frugoli made Apr 23 at 2015 9:50 PM

2015-04-23T21:50:11-04:00

for leaking classified information. i'm guessing it was not TOO big of a deal but as for national security.. i think a little jail time would not have killed him and he still gets to travel while on federal probation? seems like he got off. my opinion i guess

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 11:49 PM

2015-04-23T23:49:39-04:00

Rankism

Response by PO3 Ken Jeschonek made Apr 24 at 2015 1:12 AM

2015-04-24T01:12:34-04:00

For his crimes and the politically correctness because of his current standings with the administration… He got a fare shake in today’s eyes.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 10:03 AM

2015-04-24T10:03:19-04:00

Passing classified information to those not entitled to receive it should have the same punishment regardless of the rank of the person involved. Petraeus needs to get the same treatment Manning got.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Apr 24 at 2015 2:50 PM

2015-04-24T14:50:19-04:00

One of the best quotes in Band of Brothers was, "Remember boys, flies spread disease....so keep yours closed."

It isn't the first time a person has spent their life doing great things only ro be taken down and remembered forever by their carnal lapses in judgement. He is fortunate that he wasn't enlisted. I doubt it would be 2 years probation and a fine he can pay making a one hour lecture.

Response by 1SG Michael Bonnett made Apr 25 at 2015 12:25 AM

2015-04-25T00:25:31-04:00

He should have been court martialed and sent to Leavenworth...

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Apr 28 at 2015 12:12 AM

2015-04-28T00:12:24-04:00

The punishment seems light, BUT I think we really want a disgruntled former CIA director and Army General sitting in a prison with other unsavory characters that has already proven his is capable of telling what he knows. His intellectual knowledge makes that a HUGE national security risk!