David Petraeus, a former CIA director and four-star general, has reportedly signed a plea deal with the U.S. Justice Department in which he will admit to mishandling classified materials.
The agreement means that Petraeus will plead guilty to one count of unauthorised removal and retention of classified material but could avoid an "embarrassing trial," reported the BBC.
Justice Department spokesman Marc Raimondi confirmed the news that ended a long-drawn investigation into whether Petraeus provided secret information to his mistress or not.
The former CIA director resigned from his post in 2012, after it was discovered that he was having an affair with his biographer.
Petraeus was in charge of America's recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and was once considered a contender for the Republican presidential ticket.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison.