Kelley asked for $2 million to influence South Korean deal, businessman says

A New York businessman says Tampa, Florida, socialite Jill Kelley asked him for a $2 million commission if she used her influence to win a South Korean business contract.

Kelley, who triggered an FBI investigation that led to the resignation of CIA Director David Petraeus, claimed she was a high-level representative of the South Korean government, says the businessman, Adam Victor.

In reality, according to the South Korean Foreign Ministry, Kelley holds a simple honorary title -- "special consul" -- which boasts no official responsibilities.

With the prospect of a commission on an $80 million deal to provide natural gas, Kelley "tried to sell herself as something she was not," Victor, president of TransGas Development Systems, told CNN. "I told her she was crazy."

It's not the only time Kelley has claimed to have privileges because of a special diplomatic status. Last Sunday, she called 911 complaining that a man she didn't know was on her property, describing herself as an "honorary consul general" with "inviolability."

A spokesman for Kelley did not return CNN's phone calls seeking comment. Although there have been no allegations of wrongdoing, it's the latest twist in a story with possibly troubling ramifications on several levels, including, potentially, national security.

Kelley came under public scrutiny after Petraeus quit last week, admitting his extramarital affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell. Anonymous e-mail sent to Kelley prompted her to alert the FBI, which eventually uncovered the affair.

Kelley has close ties to several high-ranking military figures, including Petraeus and Gen. John Allen, commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

Living not far from MacDill Air Force Base, home of the U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, Kelley and her husband, Scott, a doctor, hosted parties attended by high-ranking military officials. She even took part in a Special Operations Command-sponsored parachute dive, the Army said.

A $2 million commission would have been helpful to the Kelleys. She and her husband have struggled with financial troubles, according to public records. Their Tampa-area home, which was purchased in 2004 for $1.5 million, has been the subject of foreclosure proceedings since April 2010. Records show a total of 11 lawsuits involving the Kelleys.

Kelley is well-connected to the local military culture. In October 2010, she took part in a parachute skydive organized by the U.S. Special Operations Command. The jump was part of a program that "reached out" to members of Tampa's civilian community and the media, a command spokesman said.

Hosting foreign guests was not unusual for the Kelleys, a high-ranking former CENTCOM military officer said.

Many guests at Kelley's parties were foreign liaison officers attached to the so-called Coalition Village at MacDill's sprawling compound, the source said. Most of those foreign liaisons were not cleared for sensitive classified access to military documents.

"They frankly didn't have a lot to do," the former officer said, "and looked forward to the parties given by the Kelleys."

While the Kelleys opened their mansion to military brass, perhaps understandably, they haven't been as welcoming to members of the news media parked outside.

Kelley complained about it in an e-mail sent to Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn about 6 a.m. Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

The e-mail also complained, the Times said, about Tampa police releasing recordings of her 911 calls last weekend.

A spokesman for the mayor's office did not return CNN's phone call for comment.