Jill Kelley, the woman at the center of the David Petraeus sex scandal, has refused to speak publicly about her involvement with former CIA chief and General John Allen.
Jill Kelley has remained at her colonial style mansion during the scandal, appearing briefly in bold designer dresses for the media who have gathered outside her home.
The mother-of-three has been bombarded with offers from TV networks to conduct a sit down chat about her relationship.
Jill Kelley is the most sought after person to be named in a Washington sex scandal since Monica Lewinsky and has hired a DC lawyer. A producer from CBS TV flew from New York to Jill Kelley’s Tampa home to drop off a request for a sit down.
The producer said the aim was to “get Kelley” to New York as the bids from other networks roll in.
Friends believe Jill Kelley will agree to talk – because she desperately needs the money.
Regions Bank filed a foreclosure lawsuit against her and husband Scott in April 2010, claiming they failed to make a payment on the mansion.
The bank demands repayment of $1.8 million in principal and interest on the mortgage.
Their company, Kelley Land Holdings, defaulted on a $2.1 million loan from Central Bank. Credit card issuer FIA Card Services sued Jill Kelley for defaulting on more than $25,000 in credit card debt.
It is a dramatic leap into the national media glare despite her eagerness to be a player on the local Florida social scene.
One unnamed officer at the base described Jill Kelley and her sister to the Washington Post as “rich Tampa socialites who like to hang out with four-generals”.
Since news of the affair between David Petraeus and Paula Broadwell broke on Friday the Kelleys have retained the services of high -owered Washington Lawyer Abbe Lowell.
Jill Kelley in the meantime has refused to draw the curtains on the large windows of her South Tampa home – a stately, two-story brick house with a half-dozen white columns – even visibly watching news coverage of the affair.
At least twice over the past two days Jill Kelley has left her home dressed up to the nines wearing dark sunglasses and ferried herself around town in her silver Mercedes.
Jill Kelley’s identical twin sister, Natalie Khawam, also lives inside the stately home with her.
South Tampa is a conservative Southern community of big houses, big bank accounts, garden clubs and wives who pride themselves on volunteer work.
Senior military figures from MacDill Air Force Base, where Central Command is headquartered, live and socialize in the area, where helping members of the military is a major volunteer activity.
Former Mayor Pam Iorio said that she went to several parties to benefit the military at the Kelleys’ home attended by figures including Petraeus.
But they were by far not the only parties held around the city for MacDill’s officers.
“Our community’s relationship with MacDill is just multifaceted,” said Pam Iorio, who later invited the Petraeuses over to her own home for dinner.
“It’s something that is generational. People sincerely care about the military.”
David Petraeus aides said Jill Kelley took it to another level, winning the title of “honorary ambassador” for her extensive entertaining. David Petraeus even honored Jill Kelley and her husband Scott with an award in a special ceremony at the Pentagon.
