FBI Conducts 'Consensual' Search at Home of Petraeus' Alleged Mistress Paula Broadwell

Credit: Getty Images

UPDATE: Despite being initially described as a raid by multiple sources, the FBI is now saying that the search of Paula Broadwell's home is "consensual" and part of concluding its probe into the alleged mistress of former CIA director David Petraeus, according to CNBC and NBC's Andrea Mitchell and Pete Williams.

FBI agents are at the home of Paula Broadwell in Charlotte; law enforcement official says it's a consensual search, not a raid - NBC

— CNBC (@CNBC) November 13, 2012

FBI now in Charlotte searching Paula Broadwell home says @petewilliamsnbc FBI says it is "consensual" not a raid part of wrapping up probe

— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) November 13, 2012

A spokeswoman for the FBI has confirmed agents went to Broadwell's home in Charlotte on Monday night. However, FBI spokeswoman Shelley Lynch declined to say what the agents were doing there.

FBI agents appeared at Broadwell's home carrying the kinds of cardboard boxes often used for evidence gathering during a search. They walked through the open garage of Broadwell's house and knocked at a side door before entering the home. One person was taking photographs of the house and its garage as members of the news media watched.

Petraeus resigned his CIA post last week after acknowledging an extramarital affair.

(Related: Bizarre Twist: Key FBI Agent on Case Actually Sent ‘Shirtless Photos’ to Petraeus Friend)

FBI agents search Paula Broadwell's home in North Carolina (WCNC-TV)

(WCNC-TV)

WCNC reporter Dianne Gallagher also addressed the FBI's assertion that the search is "consensual" and not a "raid" after she initially described it as such.

"...technically not a raid bc FBI was given consent by attorney. Semantics, but still," she tweeted.

@miwall81 technically not a raid bc FBI was given consent by attorney.Semantics, but still...

— Dianne Gallagher (@DianneG) November 13, 2012

As of 11:30 p.m. EST, "just under a dozen" FBI agents were still in the house, a single room lit up.

(Twitter)

WCNC-TV has the latest details on this story:

Roughly 10 FBI agents wrapped up their search at around 1 a.m. EST. The agents removed two computers and 5-7 boxes of evidence following the nearly five hour search, Gallagher later reported.

In addition to the latest details on the property search, WCNC-TV also aired a portion of an exclusive interview with Broadwell earlier this year.

"Truly some of the tenants of General Petraeus’ counter-insurgency strategy applied to home or work or corporations. Be the first with truth, live our values—and I try to show that in the book," Broadwell said in the interview.

–

See TheBlaze's initial story below.

FBI agents on Monday night raided the home of Paula Broadwell, the alleged mistress of former CIA director David Petraeus, WCNC reporter Dianne Gallagher reported via her official Twitter account.

Gallagher said "two men with briefcases just showed up to the Broadwell home… ran inside." The reporter also said later "dozens of people" showed up to the North Carolina home, carrying bags and boxes inside, possibly to gather evidence.

The FBI confirmed to WBTV in Charlotte that the agents inside Broadwell's home were with the agency. However, FBI officials would not reveal what they were looking for.

"FBI agents have been inside Paula Broadwell's Dilworth home for about an hour now. About a dozen there, with bags/boxes, taking pics," Gallagher posted on Twitter.

She estimated the first two agents arriving at 8:40 p.m. EST. And as of 10:40 p.m. EST, the agents, which had since multiplied, were reportedly still inside presumably collecting evidence of some sort.

BREAKING: Confirmed the agents at Paula Broadwells home are with FBI. Brought bags & boxes, taking photos @wcnc twitter.com/DianneG/status…

— Dianne Gallagher (@DianneG) November 13, 2012

Roughly a dozen FBI agents inside Paula Broadwell's home now.Her neighbours say she's been emailing from 'undisclosed location' w/ family

— Dianne Gallagher (@DianneG) November 13, 2012

@lbstewart @reidbennett the FBI is here... I think there might be more than sex involved now...

— Dianne Gallagher (@DianneG) November 13, 2012

FBI agents have been looking inside cabinets & snapping photos in carport of Paula Broadwell's Charlotte home. @wcnc

— Dianne Gallagher (@DianneG) November 13, 2012

FBI agents have been inside Paula Broadwell's Dilworth home for about an hour now.About a dozen there, with bags/boxes, taking pics @wcnc

— Dianne Gallagher (@DianneG) November 13, 2012

We were here when the first agents showed up at Paula Broadwell home,not leaving until they come out. I'm live at 11 @wcnc with the video

— Dianne Gallagher (@DianneG) November 13, 2012

Meanwhile, the media "gaggle" continued to grow outside the Broadwell home Monday night:

(Twitter)

Petraeus resigned from his position as CIA director on Friday.

The FBI discovered the affair after Broadwell reportedly sent harassing emails to a female family friend of Petraeus.

FBI agents contacted Petraeus, and he was told that sensitive, possibly classified documents related to Afghanistan were found on her computer. He assured investigators they did not come from him, and he mused to his associates that they were probably given to her on her reporting trips to Afghanistan by commanders she visited in the field there. The FBI concluded there was no security breach.

This is a breaking story and updates will be added.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.