Retired Gen. David Petraeus gets to keep his four stars.
The Defense Department was reportedly considering demoting Petraeus to a three-star general after he mishandled classified information.
But a short letter obtained by multiple news outlets reveals Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has decided to take no further action against Petraeus.
Petraeus pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of mishandling classified information last April.
Specifically, he had gave eight notebooks with classified material to his biographer, Paula Broadwell — the same woman he admitted to having an affair with.
A demotion to three-star general would have reportedly cost Patreaus tens of thousands of dollars in retirement payments.
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