Close Friend Defends Paula Broadwell

Paula Broadwell's ex-roommate is speaking out exclusively to INSIDE EDITION and coming to the defense of the woman at the center of the David Petraeus scandal.

INSIDE EDITION's Paul Boyd asked Jessica Peck, "You know Paula Broadwell pretty well. You put yourself out there defending her. Why?"

Peck said, "Any portrayal of Paula Broadwell as being a conniving, jealous, or insecure woman is so far from the truth."

Peck first met Broadwell when they were roommates at a conference in Germany in 2009. They were assigned to the same hotel room for two weeks.

"When I first met Paula, when she walked into the room, I did a double take. I thought, 'Is that Angelina Jolie?' She is that strikingly beautiful," said Peck.

Peck told INSIDE EDITION’s Paul Boyd that the Paula Broadwell she knows is a caring wife and mother of two young sons, not the jealous mistress who allegedly sent anonymous e-mails to Tampa socialite Jill Kelley.

"Paula is an amazing mother, she is an amazing wife, in spite of this transgression. She is an amazing patriot. She does more in one day than many people do in an entire lifetime," said Peck.

Meanwhile, INSIDE EDITION is learning that Broadwell was once offered a job with the FBI.

The Daily Beast said she "Applied to the FBI six years ago, passed a polygraph test, and was offered an appointment,” and FBI recruiters were "Salivating over her."

Some are wondering if Broadwell padded her resume, including her fitness credentials. She has said she was ranked No. 1 in fitness at West Point, but, a spokesman at the military academy now says the fitness award went to another female cadet in her class.

The new issue of Time magazine says that Broadwell claimed "Republican money men" approached her last summer about running for the U.S. Senate from North Carolina but Petraeus "rejected the idea out of hand."

Jessica Peck said she was shocked to learn that her friend and the general were lovers.

Boyd asked Peck, "What was your first reaction when you first heard about this story? When you heard of the affair?"

Peck said, "When I first saw CNN, it said 'Petraeus resigns over affair with biographer,' I thought, 'Oh please God, don't let it be Paula.' But, in retrospect, if there is any woman that can handle this, it is Paula."