'Shirtless' FBI Agent Investigated Over Handling of Petraeus Case

The FBI agent crucial to the probe against former CIA director David Petraeus is at the center of an internal investigation.

The agent's name was identified on Wednesday as Frederick Humphries, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The 47-year-old agent is being investigated for his handling of the case against Petraeus and for inappropriate activities with a woman connected to the enquiry.

Humphries took reports from friend Jill Kelley who allegedly received threatening emails from Paula Broadwell, Petraeus's biographer and the woman he was caught with in an affair.

An investigation into the agent's relationship with Kelley found that he had sent her a shirtless photo of himself. The picture was sent around six months before Kelley started receiving the emails from Broadwell. Humphries said that it was sent "as a joke" between friends and that there is nothing more in the relationship, according to NBC News.

Humphries supposedly did not look further into Kelley's email troubles and an investigation by other agents discovered the photo while looking through her emails.

The agent has been criticized for his handling of the case and whether his actions were appropriately handled. Humphries even went to Congressional representatives in October to complain about the investigation.

Humphries however has the support of Jon Adler, president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, who commented on the internal investigation saying: "From my view issues of national security have unfortunately been reduced to a bad episode of 'Real Housewives.' The photos should not undermine the fact that the agent responded in a timely way and appropriately, nor do they reflect any amorous relationship."

President Obama commented on Wednesday about the FBI's handling of the Petraeus investigation saying "I have a lot of confidence generally in the FBI."