Jill Kelley's sister, Natalie Khawam, spoke out for the first time Tuesday at a news conference in Washington, saying she wanted to set the record straight about herself, her sister, and their ties to some of the military's top brass.
Khawam's sister, Kelley, is the Tampa socialite whose emails led to Petraeus, a retired four-star general, resigning as CIA director and admitting he had an affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell.
Khawam took to the podium standing by her celebrity and women’s rights attorney Gloria Allred who has now become part of the David Petraeus scandal.
Allred arranged the meeting to counter what she said were inaccurate portrayals of Khawam in the news media and to press arguments in a custody case involving Khawam's son.
"My sister Jill and I are not just twins, we're best friends," Khawam, 37, said. "Through my darkest times Jill held a light for me. She and my brother in law, Dr. Kelley, took me in with my son when we needed refuge and protection."
Khawam's name surfaced in connection with the Petraeus scandal because both he and General John Allen wrote letters to a DC judge on her behalf in a contentious child custody case. The scandal broke after Kelley went to the FBI about threatening emails she reported receiving from Broadwell. Kelly and her husband, Scott, had become friends with Petraeus and his wife when he was head of U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base.
"I look forward to the day when I'm able to answer everyone's questions and explain what really happened in this matter," Khawam said to conclude her short statement.
The investigation has led to questions about Kelley's access at MacDill and eventually enveloped Marine Gen. John Allen, who succeeded Petraeus as the top American commander in Afghanistan.
According to New York Post and other news organizations, Petraeus and Allen each wrote letters supporting Khawam in a custody battle with her ex-husband that she eventually lost.
Allred said her client has known Petraeus and his wife for years and they spent time together when she was living with Kelley and her husband in Tampa.
"Natalie feels they stood up for her as they knew it in her custody case and she is deeply appreciative that the Petraus family has continued to love and support her and her son during the hardest times,” Allred said.
Khawam and Allred refused to answer any questions about harassing emails Petraeus's mistress, Paula Broadwell, allegedly sent to Kelley or emails exchanged between Kelley and General Allen.
"I'm not going to comment on anything that might be part of an investigation," Allred said.
Khawam said this whole ordeal has been very difficult her and her family and that she's looking forward to the day when the investigations are over and she can speak more freely.