Leaks ‘frequently inaccurate,’ Holder says

Attorney General Eric Holder cast doubt Sunday on news that the FBI recommended criminal charges against former CIA Director David Petraeus.

{mosads}”I don’t want to really comment on what is an ongoing investigation,” Holder told ABC’s “This Week.” “But I will say that frequently, those things that we characterize as leaks — they are frequently inaccurate. I’ll just leave it at that.”

The New York Times reported Friday that the FBI and the Justice Department had recommended felony charges against Petraeus for allegedly sharing classified information with a former mistress at the time of their affair.

The news, widely characterized as a leak from within DOJ, has drawn criticism from lawmakers including Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.), who said Saturday that the investigation was “grievously mishandled.”

Holder defended the investigation Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union,” saying it has been conducted in an “appropriate way.” But he added on ABC that he shares “concerns” expressed by senators.

“I also want to assure them and the American people that any investigation that is ongoing will be done in a fair and an appropriate way,” Holder said.

The decision whether to seek an indictment against Petraeus ultimately lies with Holder, who declined to say whether his ruling would come before he leaves his post this year.

“The determination has yet to be made and we will see how things play out before any decision is made,” he told NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

Feinstein said Sunday that Petraeus has “suffered enough.”

“He lost his job as CIA director because of [his affair]. How much do we want to punish somebody?” the California Democrat told CNN’s “State of the Union.”

McCain called the apparent leak a violation of Petraeus’s rights.

“I don’t know if there’s guilt or innocence,” McCain said, also on CNN.

“[But] it’s a violation of any citizen’s rights to have that information leaked, much less a man that is a genuine American hero.”

Petraeus has not responded to the newspaper article, but says claims he passed intelligence to former mistress Paula Broadwell are untrue.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) suggested Sunday that criminal charges are not merited in the case.

“The burden of proof is on [the FBI] and on DOJ,” he said on ABC.

–This report was updated at 11:43 a.m.