Image copyright AFP/ISAF Image caption Mr Petraeus reportedly began an affair with his biographer Paula Broadwell in 2011

US prosecutors have recommended bringing charges against ex-CIA director David Petraeus for providing classified information to a former mistress, the New York Times reports.

The paper cites officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

A decorated former general, Mr Petraeus resigned as CIA chief in 2012 after details of his affair with Paula Broadwell emerged.

He was a commander of US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan before taking the role.

A US Justice Department investigation is focusing on whether Mr Petraeus gave Ms Broadwell access to his CIA email and other classified information while director of the organisation, the paper says.

FBI agents discovered classified documents on her computer after he quit, according to the New York Times.

The recommendations to press criminal charges from the FBI and US Justice Department would leave Attorney General Eric Holder with a decision on whether to seek an indictment, which could see the former CIA chief jailed if found guilty.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The FBI searched Ms Broadwell's home in 2012, removing boxes and computers

A lawyer for Mr Petraeus did not comment.

But Mr Petraeus has said he never provided classified information to Ms Broadwell, according to the paper.

The affair reportedly began in 2011, while Ms Broadwell was working on a biography of Mr Petraeus.

In the same year, Mr Petraeus resigned from his commanding position in Afghanistan to take on the CIA role.

Mr Petraeus resigned from the CIA in 2012, saying he had shown "extremely poor judgment" in conducting the affair.

President Obama paid tribute to him at the time, saying he had "provided extraordinary service to the United States for decades".