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Petraeus pleads guilty, sentenced to two years probation

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Former four-star Gen. David Petraeus, who once headed the CIA, was one of the most distinguished leaders of his generation.

But at 1 p.m. Thursday, Petraeus arrived at the federal courthouse in Charlotte to plead guility in a scandal that has followed him for the past three years.

At 2:20 p.m., Petraeus entered a guilty plea for a misdemeanor charge for violating the Espionage Act.

By 3 p.m., he was sentenced to two years probation and the judge instituted a $100,000 fine, which was more than double the $40,000 fine requested by prosecutors and defense attorneys.

Five things to know about Petraeus sentencing

"This is going to be part of his biography for the rest of his life," said Charlotte attorney Jim Cooney.

Petraeus is accused of allowing his biographer and former mistress Paula Broadwell, of Charlotte, to have access to classified information.

Broadwell provided a photo statement following Petraeus' sentencing. She also tweeted it: