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Gilberte "Jill" Khawam Kelley (born June 3, 1975) is a Lebanese-American socialite and privacy advocate in Tampa, Florida. Kelley, a Florida socialite with connections to military circles, had issued a complaint to the FBI in May 2012 over a series of anonymous stalking emails . The threatening emails were traced to Petraeus' biographer 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 and a further investigation of e-mail communications General John R. Allen sent to Kelley. In January 2013, the Department of Defense Inspector General cleared Allen of all allegations involving Kelley, stating that the claims against Allen were "unsubstantiated".

Personal life

Jill Kelley was born Gilberte Khawam in Beirut, Lebanon on June 3, 1975. Kelley, the Honorary Ambassador to United States Central Command's Coalition Forces, is known to be someone with 'connective tissue' to the diplomatic world Diplomats used Jill Kelley's connections with Central Command Senior Generals to secure briefings for visiting foreign dignitaries. Kelley, a regular on the DC diplomatic circuit and frequently attended embassy events Known to be the go-between for Lebanese and other Middle Eastern government officials, she was active with dignitaries from the region and invited to functions at various embassies in Washington

Since moving to Tampa, Kelley has devoted considerable time to community service, both to the local homeless as well as to the large community of servicemen and women in the Tampa area.

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".

Family and Marriage

In 1999, Kelley married cancer surgeon Dr. Scott Kelley. Dr. Kelley completed his undergraduate degree at Dartmouth College, attended Columbia University Medical School, and completed surgical residency at the University of Pennsylvania . They live with their three children in Tampa, Florida. Her family includes her identical twin sister, Natalie Khawam, a brother, David Khawam, and sister, Caroline. Jill's parents are Lebanese-American Maronite Catholics who immigrated to the United States from Jounieh, Lebanon in the mid-1970s. Kelley lived in the Philadelphia area until her mid-20s. She was studying to be a Doctor as she researched and published medical research at the University of Pennsylvania, in addition to medical course work at Hahnemann Hospital Jill Kelley put her medical studies on hold at one point to have a baby.

Biography

She has an identical twin sister, Natalie Khawam, who obtained a Georgetown University Law SchoolJuris Doctor, with an MBA and a Masters in Finance, while Jill remained focused on her aspirations of becoming a Doctor.In H.S. Jill and Natalie founded Future Doctor's of America. They competed in every athletic and academic arena and club. Very competitive; both twins were "Dean's list" recipients and while con-currently dominating on the varsity athletic arena. In addition, they were notable undefeated tennis double partners. Jill and Natalie came from a very conservative, tight knit immigrant family. Out of respect to their parents’ wishes, they attended a small, private Beaver College to commute to their suburban family home. During her Pre-Med studies, she was advancing Medical Research for the Department of Anesthesia at the University of Pennsylvania. Jill wrote a variety of Clinical and Scientific papers for the Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania (where she met her Dr. Scott Kelley). Her research was published in a number of prestigious and national Medical journals, and she presented at several scientific forums (even though she hadn't completed medical school yet) Recognizing her exceptional understanding in Medicine, she was invited to assist Cardiac Surgeons in operations, while collaborating studies with scientists at the University of Pennsylvania with other elite medical universities. She attended Hahnemann University Hospital's medical program (with "honors") all while continuing to publish her research out at University of Pennsylvania. Then the unexpected happened; her husband matched in Tampa FL at Moffitt Cancer Center to continue his training for his Surgical Oncology fellowship training in 2001. That same month, Jill learned she was pregnant with their first daughter Marcelle (a genius) which officially ended her Medical School completion. She immediately had 3 children within 4 years.

While raising her 3 children, Jill has been an honorary Board Member for a number of Profit, Non-for-Profit Boards, and Trustees, which allows her to give back. In her capacity, she took the initiative to successfully venture in business and real estate developments. However, she continues to use her extensive medical knowledge to presently consult, invent and develop Medical patents; several of which are waiting commercialization. In addition, she is writing her first edition of a Cancer Book. She created a research team of over 40 Medical Students from 3 different Medical Schools. Her unique book will teach everything to learn and understand the disease for the reader, or patient -that is not a physician, which she states is the problem with information available today

One of Jill's special causes is her humanitarian efforts to feed the homeless. On various Holidays, she provides a hot buffet, and gathers with over 500 homeless people, with live-music, holiday prayers, and her caring ear to hear their struggle. She initiated a long-term promise to increase public awareness about the rise in homelessness in the local community. Her campaign was to bring awareness to the impoverished.

Throughout her residency in Tampa, Jill has been a steadfast supporter of the military troops at Central Command. On behalf of her civic leadership, and variety of altruism, Jill was recently awarded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as an honorary agent

Jill became increasingly interested in promoting international exchange and understanding for the US and Military Leaders with the Coalition and the rest of the International World. She has also been particularly vocal about the importance of cross cultural dialogue, to foster greater understanding, tolerance and acceptance across the world. With her lingual abilities, and her proficiency in world history and foreign cultures, Jill has a dynamic ability for fostering communication, within the international community.

Her rare qualities, inclusive with her affinity for building foreign relations, and natural conflict-prevention, enables her to successfully be a Representative to asserting U.S. leadership, values, and support to our Allies and other Foreign Leaders.

Jill founded and gave patronage to her Annual Coalition & Multi-National Forces Appreciation Reception that includes the Senior National Representative (SNR’s) from over 60 countries promoting camaraderie, support and appreciation since 2009. Jill has stayed focused on her caliber and quality of acting as a goodwill ambassador to these Foreign Representatives. She continues to advocate building global trust, and re-enforcing relations between the Coalition Nations and the United States.

In 2011, she received the highest honor by Director of the Coalition and Multi-National Forces for her diplomacy, ambassadorship, dedication and ground efforts. That honor was immediately followed by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Award for Outstanding Public Service for her tremendous support to United States Central Command, the MacDill Air Force Base community and the Department of Defense.

Jill is an avid runner and has a zest for enjoying life. She is married to Dr. Scott Kelley, her soul mate. They have been married for over 13 years, and have 3 beautiful daughters, Marcelle, Natalie, & Caroline.

E-mail investigation

In May 2012, Kelley complained to an FBI investigator of harassing e-mails sent by an anonymous person. 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. 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.

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". 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.

Kelley called 911 several times, attempting to invoke diplomatic immunity. She told the dispatcher, “I am an honorary consul general, so I have inviolability".

According to a lawsuit Kelley and her husband filed against the FBI, Department of Defense and other governmental agencies on June 3, 2013, "By disclosing the contents of the Kelleys' emails, by either directly sharing contents of the emails or making statements suggesting that the content of the emails was lurid, government officials served Mrs. Kelley up on a platter to be devoured in a frenzy of salacious speculation regarding the nature of her relationship with Director Petraeus."

Public life

Kelley and her husband have been active socialites in the Tampa area, appearing in local society news items and making television appearances. Kelley became a volunteer social liaison to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. 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.

In July 2013, she was sought out by an Afghan Parliament member to create a dialogue between his government and the U.S. around the possibility of the withdrawal of U.S. troops after 2014. In response to the request Kelley said,"I am honored to resume my focus to promote cross-cultural dialogue and global trust for a peaceful and strategic exit to help our U.S. and Coalition forces transition out of Afghanistan".

Kelley is the former Honorary Consul General for the Republic of Korea, a title she was given in thanks for her volunteer work with coalition troops.

References

1. George, Orcas (November 13, 2012). "Jill Kelley (Khawam). The Lebanese Mata Hari?". Daily Kos.
2. ^ "Gen. Allen, Top Commander in Afghanistan, Cleared of Wrongdoing With Socialite - ABC News". Abcnews.go.com. January 22, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
3. "Jill Kelley Says Paula Broadwell Tried to 'Blackmail' Her". The Daily Beast. January 22, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
4. "Pentagon investigation clears Gen. Allen of improper behavior in email exchanges - Investigations". Openchannel.nbcnews.com. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
5. Jill Kelley, key figure in Petraeus scandal, led lavish life Los Angeles Times November 14, 2012
6. "Jill Kelley Sues FBI, Defense Department In Petraeus Scandal". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
7. Gregg Re (November 22, 2012). "Jill Kelley was awarded Joint Chiefs' No. 2 civilian medal". The Daily Caller. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
8. Staff report (October 22, 1993). Philadelphia fans short on memory but long on faith. Philadelphia Inquirer
9. "Jill Kelley, woman who sparked Petraeus probe, has Philadelphia roots - Philly.com". Articles.philly.com. November 12, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
10. CTV News, "CTV National News" airdate November 13, 2012
11. Leger, Donna Leinwand (November 12, 2012) Jill Kelley ID'd as woman who sparked Petraeus inquiry. USA Today
12. Laker, Barbara (November 12, 2012). Petraeus email trail has Philly link. philly.com
13. "New details in Petraeus scandal: Woman who received threatening emails revealed". Fox News. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
14. Elisabeth Bumiller, Top U.S. Commander in Afghanistan Is Linked to Petraeus Scandal The New York Times November 13, 2012
15. "Gen. John Allen cleared in misconduct inquiry". Washington Post. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
16. "In 911 calls, Kelley tried to invoke diplomatic immunity - U.S. News". Usnews.nbcnews.com. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
17. "UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA" (PDF). The Huffington Post. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
18. Hooper, Ernest (January 7, 2003). Food and family, bringing in the greens. St. Petersburg Times
19. Keeler, Janet K. (January 15, 2003). Lights! Camera! Cook! St. Petersburg Times
20. Scourtes, Mary (January 15, 2003). Tasty Television. The Tampa Tribune
21. Petraeus friend Jill Kelley found place hosting military parties Tampa Bay Times November 13, 2012
22. Carol D. Leonnig (November 13, 2012), Jill Kelley: Tampa woman who was hostess to the military The Washington Post
23. http://tbo.com/list/military-news/altman-afghan-politician-reaches-out-to-jill-kelley-20130728/
24. 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
25. TalkingPointsMemo, "Jill Kelley, An Embarrassment to Honorary Consuls Everywhere", Josh Marshall, November 13, 2012
26. The Business Insider, "Jill Kelley Is An "Honorary Consul" Of Korea And Thinks She Has Diplomatic Immunity", Henry Blodget, November 13, 2012

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• 1975 births
• American people of Lebanese descent
• American socialites
• Lebanese socialites
• Lebanese emigrants to the United States
• Living people
• Lebanese Maronites
• People from Beirut
• People from Tampa, Florida
• People from Voorhees Township, New Jersey
• Petraeus sex scandal