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Paula Broadwell and David Petraeus attended gala weeks after FBI learned of affair

David Petraeus

David Petraeus (James R. Brantley)

Paula Broadwell

Paula Broadwell

GUESS WHO CAME TO DINNER: Paula Broadwell schmoozes guests — including ex-lover David Petraeus — at a gala for intel officials in October. (
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Weeks after the FBI learned of her affair with CIA chief David Petraeus, a brazen Paula Broadwell donned a sexy evening gown and made a last public appearance with the top spy.

Broadwell and the retired general smiled and chatted together as they made the rounds with top intelligence officials at the annual dinner of the Office of Strategic Services Society, a group that honors the CIA’s precursor, in Washington, DC, on Oct. 27.

Petraeus appeared to be in a “great mood” at the Ritz-Carlton soiree, where he gave a speech honoring former CIA Director and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, sources told NBC News, which obtained photos showing the former lovers at the event.

Broadwell and Petraeus, whose 10-month affair ended four months ago, arrived separately and did not sit together, other dinner attendees said.

The limelight-loving Broadwell, a former intelligence officer, was “elated, beaming,” a dinner guest told Fox News.

“She was having her picture taken with guests . . . very much enjoying the attention,” the guest said.

The dinner came about a month after the FBI interviewed Broadwell about allegations she had sent threatening e-mails to Petraeus gal pal Jill Kelley.

Within days of the OSS event, the FBI interviewed Petraeus.

He resigned on Nov. 9, admitting to the affair.

The CIA yesterday said it is opening an “exploratory” investigation into Petraeus’ conduct. The probe “doesn’t presuppose any particular outcome,” a CIA spokesman said.

The FBI found classified information at Broadwell’s North Carolina home during a search.

Petraeus was cleared of mishandling data, but Broadwell, an Army reservist, saw her security clearance suspended and is under investigation.

Guests at the dinner — which drew diplomats, military brass and top US and international intelligence officials — were stunned Broadwell attended.

“It’s mind-boggling that she could be so reckless as to show up at high-profile event . . . shortly after learning the FBI was investigating their affair,” a military official told NBC.

Broadwell, who wrote Petraus’ biography, “All In,” boasted to fellow guests that she and the general were collaborating on other projects.

“She said that they had two book ideas they were pursuing, and they hoped to publish again sometime in the next two years,” a source told Fox News.

The gala came the same day that House Majority Leader Eric Cantor learned of Petraeus’ extramarital affair.

The Virginia congressman said this week that he kept it secret because he didn’t know if the information was credible.

Cantor said Washington state Rep. Dave Reichert had put him in touch with FBI Agent Frederick Humphries, who had been contacted by Kelley about the Broadwell e-mails. Cantor contacted FBI chief Robert Mueller, a spokesman said.

Petraeus spoke publicly about the scandal yesterday for the first time, telling Headline News in an off-camera conversation that he “has never passed classified information to Paula Broadwell.”

“He knows he made a big mistake” and “wants to move forward making things work for his family,” reporter Kyra Phillips recounted.

Phillips said those in Petraeus’ inner circle described Broadwell as “an aggressive woman, someone who works her magic.”

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta ordered the Joint Chiefs of Staff to review military ethics training.

Broadwell — without her husband, Scott — remained holed up at her brother’s DC home yesterday with their two young sons and her mother.

“We’re doing as best as we can under the circumstances,” said her mom, Naden Maier.

Additional reporting by Rebecca Rosenberg and AP