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IN DEPTH: Jill Kelley pushing for privacy rights after scandal

Posted at 6:27 PM, Sep 26, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-27 09:30:36-04

Jill Kelley will be watching the presidential debate closely. It's why she wanted to speak out on Monday.

She just returned from giving a speech at Yale University. Kelley also recently self published a book, Collateral Damage: Petraeus, Power, Politics and the Abuse of Privacy. The book pushes her message, advocating for internet privacy and security.

"What happened to my family should never happen and we became collateral damage," said Kelley.

Local and national press camped outside her doors for months.

"You can never be made whole after something like that." said Kelley.

It's why she wrote her book Collateral Damage: Petraeus, Power, Politics and the Abuse of Privacy.

"What happened to me could happen to you that is why we need to make this a national debate," said Kelley.

Kelley's claims against the government are serious accusations.

"They leaked my name and my home address to the media with false stories false rumors about my email," said Kelley.

The whole story broke open in 2012. Kelley contacted the FBI about receiving email threats. The author was later revealed to be Paula Broadwell, the mistress of then CIA Director General David Petraeus. Investigators said Broadwell viewed Kelley as a romantic rival.

We asked her if she regretted contacting the FBI.

"Yes, After everything that happened. You know hindsight is always 2020 but I do regret contacting the FBI," said Kelley.

The investigation was expanded after also looking into e-mails between Kelley and General John Allen, the commander leading operations in Afghanistan.  Petraeus and Allen ultimately stepped down.

Kelley said for years her family could not even walk out the door.

" I feel like it's important to talk about my story so we can learn a lesson from it," said Kelley.

She's now pushing to change laws.  

"I want to to hold people accountable. There's no accountability if they leak your e-mails and ruin your reputation," said Kelley.

It's also why Kelley self-published her book. She said her publishers wanted her to wait until after the election, but she felt timing was crucial.

"This is one of the most controversial issues over constitution rights and debates in our modern life time," said Kelley.

And people are paying attention. Kelley just spoke at Yale University and said Georgetown University is likely next.

"The students have been raised with electronic devices e-mails and social media and digital media and to speak to them shows their interest in having their privacy protected," said Kelley.

General John Allen, the commander in Afghanistan also stepped down after allegations of inappropriate e-mails with Kelley.

Kelley also said she reluctantly dropped a lawsuit against the government.

She felt her attorney abandoned  the case buckling under political pressure and because  of years invested  it was impossible to have another attorney pick it up.