Cloud over Gen. Petraeus

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Department of Justice and the FBI are still awaiting a decision from Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. on their recommendation of felony charges against former CIA director and retired four-star Gen. David H. Petraeus, who is accused of having provided his mistress with classified material. The wait must end soon.

Mr. Petraeus was named and confirmed as CIA chief in 2011, only to resign from the post 14 months later when it was revealed that he was involved in an extramarital affair with Paula D. Broadwell, an Army reserve major who was writing his biography. A subsequent FBI search of Ms. Broadwell’s computer showed that it contained highly classified material.

After his CIA resignation, the former commander of U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan joined Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Co., a New York-based global investment firm in May 2013. The firm eventually made him a partner.

More than two years after the classified documents case broke, the Justice Department should either charge Mr. Petraeus or drop the matter. Mr. Petraeus has said he did not provide classified information to Ms. Broadwell and has indicated that he is not interested in a plea deal that would head off a trial.

Mr. Obama needs to tell Mr. Holder either to indict the former CIA chief or remove the cloud hanging over his head. So far, this case is not American justice at its best.