Jill Kelley
Jill Kelley | |
|---|---|
| Born | Gilberte Khawam June 3, 1975 |
| Occupation(s) | Advocate, Socialite |
| Spouse(s) | Scott Kelley, M.D. |
| Children | 3 |
Gilberte "Jill" Khawam Kelley (born June 3, 1975)[1] is a Lebanese-American socialite and privacy advocate in Tampa, Florida. Kelley, a Florida socialite with connections to political and military circles, had issued a complaint to the FBI in May 2012 over a series of anonymous stalking emails [2]. The threatening emails were traced to Petraeus' mistress [3] Paula Broadwell. Kelley became a focus of media coverage when an FBI investigation related to e-mails she had received led to the public becoming aware that General David Petraeus was having an affair. A well known humanitarian and philanthropic by nature, [4] Mrs. Kelley commits her time to the homeless and serves the hungry.
Personal life
Jill Kelley was born Gilberte Khawam in Beirut, Lebanon[5] on June 3, 1975. Kelley's family includes her identical twin sister, Natalie Khawam,[6] a brother, David Khawam, and sister, Caroline.[7] Jill's parents [8] are Lebanese-American Maronite Catholics who immigrated to the United States from Jounieh, Lebanon in the mid-1970s.[9] Kelley grew up in suburban Philadelphia, where her parents owned a restaurant. Kelley lived in the Philadelphia area until her mid-20s.[10] Kelley attended Arcadia University.[7]
Kelley is married to cancer surgeon Dr. Scott Kelley, and the two live with their three children in Tampa, Florida.[9] Jill Kelley put her medical studies on hold at one point to have a baby.[11]
In March 2011, she received the Joint Chief of Staff Award for public service for "building positive relationships between the military and the Tampa community".[12]
E-mail investigation
In May 2012, Kelley complained to an FBI investigator of harassing e-mails sent by an anonymous woman. In her communication with the FBI, Kelley stated that the e-mails appeared to be an attempt to blackmail General Petraeus. This sparked an investigation.[13] Kelley later asked for the investigation to be stopped, citing concern that she and her family might also come under scrutiny. Her requests were nonetheless ignored. This set off a chain of events that eventually led to the resignation of David Petraeus on November 9, 2012. In early November, Kelley hired Abbe Lowell and Judy Smith for assistance.[why?][14]
The anonymous woman was identified as Petraeus biographer Paula Broadwell, who investigators discovered had been having an affair with him. During the course of that investigation, the FBI found emails between Kelley and General John R. Allen, Petraeus's successor as top commander in Afghanistan. On November 13, 2012, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said that the nomination of Gen. Allen for the post of Supreme Allied Commander Europe would be delayed.
News agencies said Allen was being investigated due to alleged "inappropriate communication" between Kelley and Allen that was "flirtatious in nature".[15] ABC News reported on November 14 that Kelley's security clearance at nearby CENTCOM Headquarters had been revoked. On January 22, 2013, General Allen was cleared of accusations of inappropriate communication with Mrs. Kelley in a misconduct inquiry.[16]
Kelley called 911 several times, attempting to invoke diplomatic immunity. She told the dispatcher, “I am an honorary consul general, so I have inviolability".[why?][17][relevant?]
Public life
Kelley and her husband have been active socialites in the Tampa area, appearing in local society news items and making television appearances.[18][19][20] Kelley became a volunteer social liaison to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.[14] Kelley and her husband were known for hosting cigar and caviar parties for military leaders at their home near the United States Central Command, a theater-level Unified Combatant Command of the U.S. Department of Defense established in 1983.[21] Although she had no official status and was not employed by the U.S. government, she was given an appreciation certificate recognizing her as an "honorary ambassador" in Florida to the coalition of countries at the U.S. Central Command.[10]
Kelley also was made an honorary consul general for the Republic of Korea in August 2011, in thanks for her volunteer work with coalition troops.[22][23][24] As such, she had "honorary consul" license plates on her car which conferred no special privileges.[22] At the 2012 Republican National Convention, Kelley was introduced to the CEO of TransGas Development Systems as someone who could help facilitate a deal with Korea concerning a coal gasification project.[25] The CEO ended his business relationship with Kelley after she demanded an $80 million or 2% commission to assist him with the negotiations.[5] Kelley stated that she discontinued the relationship and that a 2% fee “was discussed but nothing more specific”.[26]
Currently, Kelley is engaged in advocacy work to improve internet privacy and personal security. In a post she was asked to contribute to Bloomberg Businessweek, Kelley had this to say regarding her efforts, "Until our privacy laws give us both privacy and protection, I’ll continue to be an advocate for reform, so others don’t have to go through the challenges my friends and family endured." [27]
References
- ^ George, Orcas (November 13, 2012). "Jill Kelley (Khawam). The Lebanese Mata Hari?". Daily Kos.
- ^ [[1]]
- ^ http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-250_162-10014500.html
- ^ http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/20160833/2012/11/21/jill-kelleys-role-at-macdill?clienttype=printable
- ^ a b Jill Kelley, key figure in Petraeus scandal, led lavish life Los Angeles Times November 14, 2012
- ^ Staff report (October 22, 1993). Philadelphia fans short on memory but long on faith. Philadelphia Inquirer
- ^ a b http://articles.philly.com/2012-11-12/news/35069798_1_natalie-khawam-marcelle-khawam-paula-broadwell
- ^ CTV News, "CTV National News" airdate November 13, 2012
- ^ a b Leger, Donna Leinwand (November 12, 2012) Jill Kelley ID'd as woman who sparked Petraeus inquiry. USA Today
- ^ a b Laker, Barbara (November 12, 2012). Petraeus email trail has Philly link. philly.com
- ^ http://www.businessinsider.com/jill-kelley-petraeus-2012-11
- ^ http://dailycaller.com/2012/11/22/tampa-socialite-jill-kelley-was-awarded-joint-chiefs-no-2-medal-for-civilians-prior-to-petraeus-scandal/
- ^ http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/11/11/new-details-in-petraeus-scandal-fbi-whistleblower-talked-first-to-house/#ixzz2KkOfyETa
- ^ a b Petraeus friend Jill Kelley found place hosting military parties Tampa Bay Times November 13, 2012
- ^ Elisabeth Bumiller, Top U.S. Commander in Afghanistan Is Linked to Petraeus Scandal The New York Times November 13, 2012
- ^ "Gen. John Allen cleared in misconduct inquiry". Washington Post. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/14/15162122-in-911-calls-kelley-tried-to-invoke-diplomatic-immunity
- ^ Hooper, Ernest (January 7, 2003). Food and family, bringing in the greens. St. Petersburg Times
- ^ Keeler, Janet K. (January 15, 2003). Lights! Camera! Cook! St. Petersburg Times
- ^ Scourtes, Mary (January 15, 2003). Tasty Television. The Tampa Tribune
- ^ Carol D. Leonnig (November 13, 2012), Jill Kelley: Tampa woman who was hostess to the military The Washington Post
- ^ a b Daily Mail, "Is Petraeus affair the new Lewinsky scandal? General's lover and whistleblower friend both turn to Monica aides for legal advice", Paul Thompson, November 12, 2012
- ^ TalkingPointsMemo, "Jill Kelley, An Embarrassment to Honorary Consuls Everywhere", Josh Marshall, November 13, 2012
- ^ The Business Insider, "Jill Kelley Is An "Honorary Consul" Of Korea And Thinks She Has Diplomatic Immunity", Henry Blodget, November 13, 2012
- ^ Socialite's climb halted by unfolding scandal Associated Press November 13, 2012
- ^ Jill Kelley Says Paula Broadwell Tried to ‘Blackmail’ Her Daily Beast January 22, 2012
- ^ [2] Bloomberg Businessweek April 12, 2013