David Petraeus, John Allen | featured news

U.S. defense officials say Gen. John Allen, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, has been cleared of allegations of sending potentially inappropriate emails to a civilian woman linked to the sex scandal that ousted David Petraeus as CIA director.

The first nasty e-mail from an account named "Kelley Patrol" puzzled Tampa socialite Jill Kelley, but the fact the mystery e-mailer seemed to know her comings and goings is what alarmed her, according to a source close to the Kelleys.

President Obama stands by Gen. John Allen in spite of thousands of possibly inappropriate email exchanges , according to White House Press Secretary Jay Carney.

An FBI investigation that led to the resignation of Gen David Petraeus also turned up evidence that Gen John Allen, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, was exchanging potentially inappropriate emails with a Florida woman involved in the scandal, Pentagon officials said.