He pled guilty because he was actually charged, wanted to get it over with, and like many others, didn't want to chance being found guilty after an innocent plea and get a stiffer sentence (maybe prison time).  Another key piece of info with the Patreus case was the person he disclosed the classified info to had a security clearance! Broadwell was a military reservist with a clearance and since she was never charged with disclosing the classified info in her book or otherwise, sounds to me like the info was well protected.  And since Justice prosecuted a different Army reservist for taking classified home in 2015, but not distributing it to anyone, this sure represents an unacceptable double standard.  Finally, the FBI only makes a recommendation, but I'm not holding by breath that Justice will decide to prosecute anyway; not after Bill had "the talk" with Loretta. Of course, since no jeopardy attached to this recommendation, the next AG could decide to pursue.