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Socialite's climb halted by unfolding scandal

Published: November 15, 2012 Comment on this article

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Jill Kelley's climb to the top of Tampa's social ladder may be as spectacular as her fall from it.

Accounts of lavish parties at her bay front mansion with politicians and military generals have been replaced by reports of her family's financial woes and other dirty laundry, and claims she used her close friendship with David Petraeus to try to further lucrative business dealings. Now, even her "Friends of MacDill" Air Force base access pass has been unceremoniously revoked.

photo - In this May 16, 2011 photo Dr. Scott Kelley, right, and his wife Jill Kelley pose for a photo in Tampa, Fla. Jill Kelley's attempt to climb the Tampa social ladder _ the rungs of which included some high-ranking military officials _ has come to an ignominious halt. Accounts of lavish parties at her bayfront mansion have been replaced by reports of her family's financial woes and other dirty laundry, and claims that she traded on her acquaintance with David Petraeus to try to further lucrative business dealings. Now, even her "Friends of MacDill" Air Force base access pass has been unceremoniously revoked. (AP Photo/Tampa Bay Magazine) MANDATORY CREDIT

In this May 16, 2011 photo Dr. Scott Kelley, right, and his wife Jill Kelley pose for a photo in Tampa, Fla. Jill Kelley's attempt to climb the Tampa social ladder _ the rungs of which included some high-ranking military officials _ has come to an ignominious halt. Accounts of lavish parties at her bayfront mansion have been replaced by reports of her family's financial woes and other dirty laundry, and claims that she traded on her acquaintance with David Petraeus to try to further lucrative business dealings. Now, even her "Friends of MacDill" Air Force base access pass has been unceremoniously revoked. (AP Photo/Tampa Bay Magazine) MANDATORY CREDIT

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The tangled web enveloping the daughter of Lebanese refugees, her twin sister, former CIA chief Petraeus, and Marine Gen. John Allen, who succeeded Petraeus as the top American commander in Afghanistan, has spread to include questions about a cancer charity Kelley and her doctor-husband, Scott, founded.