Hanssen was finally discovered when a former KGB agent contacted American intelligence agents. I would like to ask him why he did it, ONeill told The Post. The Justice Department's inspector general has been examining the F.B.I. He began to make small payments over several years to a charity affiliated with Mother Teresa's Catholic organization, moving the family close to bankruptcy, Mrs. Hanssen told the Justice Department investigators. As Director of the FBI, I am proud of the courageous men and women of the FBI who each day make enormous sacrifices in serving their country. Authorities say Hanssen was driven by greed, but Brookner rejected that assertion. A Justice Department spokesman, citing the inspector general's continuing review of the Hanssen case, refused to comment. As part of that review, the inspector general asked Mrs. Hanssen to take a polygraph test, just days before the sentencing. Were you in my office? Hanssen leaned over my desk, his face inches from mine. Robert Hanssen moments after being arrested. Director Jenny Chung Writer Jenny Chung Stars Bob Aguilar Jim Babel Jeff Barber Robert was described as a loner and a quiet person, and he had a strained relationship as well with his strict and dominating father. FBI leadership decided Hanssen needed to be removed from his temporary position and brought back to FBI Headquarters. Today in Security. In his office, Hanssen had full access to the FBIs Automated Case Support (ACS) system and the State Departments computer systems. . Because of his experience and training as a counterintelligence agent, Hanssen went undetected for years, although some of his unusual activities had aroused suspicion from time to time. He was Amazon.com's first-ever history editor and has bylines in New York, the Chicago Tribune, and other national outlets. One reason for her frustration may be that some government officials were apparently not convinced of her story. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Never have we seen such a media fixation on any person accused of a crime whose religion bears . For years, Hanssen stopped contacting the Russians. It is also one which can turn ingenious quickly, like an idiot savant, once convinced of a goal.. His case is considered one of America's greatest intelligence failures, as Hanssen operated as a mole within the bureau's counterintelligence division, the highly sensitive part of the FBI tasked with tracking foreign spies. This would be the first of many heart-stopping requests from Alleman. I told him I thought it was insane.''. As a young man, he seemed to be seeking a way out of the blue-collar life represented by his boyhood neighborhood. She next asked ONeill to retrieve Hanssens keys so the FBI could copy them, but his boss kept his keys on him at all times. None of the internal information or personnel security measures in place alerted those charged with internal security to his activities. The test lasted several hours. But even as her life regains some sense of normalcy, Bonnie Hanssen struggles to understand the havoc that the last few months have wrought, Brookner said. He married Bernadette Wauck in 1968 and, influenced by his devout Catholic wife, he converted to Catholicism. He worked as a policeman in Chicago for three years and was placed on an elite unit that investigated corruption. Days later, ONeill helped devise another plan to get Hanssen out of the office: Two senior officers dropped in unexpectedly and said they wanted to go to the shooting practice range with Hanssen during lunch. Yet Brookner said Bonnie Hanssen has no intention of divorcing her husband. But money is. This story has been shared 149,018 times. She agreed to describe the results, Ms. Brookner said, because they exonerated Mrs. Hanssen. The Hanssen case was regarded as a low point for the FBI, especially as Hanssen had been so trusted and had committed such betrayals for so many years. He betrayed his children. ONeill, 46, left the FBI in May 2001. During his 15 years as an alleged Russian mole, Robert Hanssen had access to many vital . The actions alleged date back as far as 1985 and, with the possible exception of several years in the 1990s, continued until his arrest on Sunday. In order to put the double-crosser away forever, ONeill would need to put his life on the line again. He also expressed his trademark annoyance. January 12, 2001 - Hanssen is reassigned from counterintelligence to an obscure office at FBI headquarters. His target would be Robert Hanssen, a 25-year FBI veteran that the bureau suspected might be the most treacherous and damaging double agent in US history. It said Bokhan's son, Alex, 18, was having trouble in military school and suggested the deputy take his vacation now, three months early, and return to the Soviet Union to deal with him. Accused FBI spy Hanssen cuts deal. I live in Dallas, TX and growing up I was always the kid with "her nose in a book". She supports the plea agreement and agrees that the sentence of life in prison without parole, rather than the death penalty, is appropriate in these circumstances.. . The attorney estimated that Hanssen contributed $10,000 to $20,000 to Mother Teresa in small installments over the years, although the FBI has not been able to verify the payments. Hanssen was arrested on February 18, 2001, at Foxstone Park near his home in Vienna, Virginia, charged with selling American secrets to Russia for $1.4 million in cash and diamonds over a 22-year period. 42-67.) ''But he told me he was just tricking the Russians and feeding them false information,'' she said. Did you see it?. Marriage: Bernadette Bonnie (Wauck) Hanssen (August 10, 1968-present), Children: Lisa, Greg, Mark, John Jack, Sue and Jane, Education: Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, A.B. The plea bargain spared Hanssen the death penalty. Only David Wise could tell the astonishing, full story, and he does so, in masterly style, in Spy. An FBI arrest team moved into position at Foxstone Park, a location where Hanssen had been spotted before by FBI surveillance. But Mr. Hanssen was not tricking the Russians; he was a Russian spy and had been working for the G.R.U., Soviet military intelligence, since 1979. The Ellis drop site, under a footbridge over Wolftrap Creek at Foxstone Park near Vienna, Va. U.S. Attorney Randy Bellows, right, is depicted in an artists sketch as he addresses the court during the sentencing of convicted spy Robert Hanssen, center, seen with his attorney Plato Cacheris, left, at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia. She did not want her husband to be tempted to work for the Russians again, she told the Justice Department. At least two movies have been made about Hanssen. After a few years working as an accountant, he decided to enter law enforcement. Classic animal aggression, ONeill writes. He worked as a source for the USSR and subsequently The Russian Federation. I take solace and satisfaction, however, that the FBI succeeded in this investigation. Hanssen is a Special Agent of the FBI with a long career in counterintelligence. Now 74, he is serving time at ADX Florence, the federal supermax prison in Colorado. Hansen even notched up a few local hunting records. ''I never knew about anything else after that first time,'' Mrs. Hanssen said in the interview. However, even though Hansen would go to church with his wife, nothing really changed. '', She said her greatest ambition was to resume some form of normal life, adding, ''I would just like to disappear. In fact, her husband resumed his espionage career. He was sentenced to life in prison. Nor would many other intelligence and counterintelligence accomplishments that routinely but quietly contribute to the security of this Nation. officer based in Washington. 1999 - Resumes spying, this time for the Russian Intelligence agency. His troubles with the law continued in Anchorage as well. To be very clear on this issue, at no time was he authorized to communicate information to agents of the KGB/SVR. A few years later, they moved to Anchorage, Alaska, and had two children. 2:02 PM EDT, Thu April 14, 2022, FBI Agent Robert Philip Hanssen is shown in this undated file photo, released by the FBI February 20, 2001. In it he betrayed three Soviet officers who were working for the Central Intelligence Agency and the bureau. Under Mr. Hanssen's plea bargain, she will receive the survivor's part of his bureau pension, as well as the right to keep the home. We dont know at this point what happened to that money, she said. He wears a revolver in an ankle holster and keeps an automatic [weapon] in his desk., In response, Alleman took a sip of her coffee to hide her smile., Fine, ONeill said. Hanssen was the son of a police officer. 1972 - Joins the Chicago Police Department. By ABC News. Abcarian: Mask mandates? Asked what Bonnie Hanssen thinks may have motivated her husband, Brookner said: Who knows? He was enrolled in a "children's club" overseen by the organization when he was seven years old, and it wasn't his first experience with Opus Dei. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Instead, he ultimately became the most damaging spy in Bureau history. ThoughtCo. As they outranked him, he didnt have much of a choice. Robert was born in 1939 in Iowa to Danish immigrants Christian and Edna Hansen. Robert Hanssen is a former FBI agent notorious for committing treason and selling state secrets to the Soviets (later the Russians). On January 12, 1976, Robert Philip Hanssen swore an oath to enforce the law and protect the nation as a newly minted FBI special agent. "Robert Hanssen, FBI Agent Who Became a Soviet Mole." Id answer neither. A feature film called "Breach" was released in 2007. ''I just wish somebody would say that my husband never told me he was spying,'' Mrs. Hanssen said in frustration in a telephone interview this week. Furthermore, she supported her husband when he was first incarcerated for theft, and then for abducting and sexually abusing a housewife and a prostitute (although the rape charge concerning the latter was dropped when he pleaded guilty.) In court proceedings the government stated that Hanssen had been paid more than $1.4 million during his spying career, most of which he never actually received, as it was held for him in a Russian bank. agent sentenced to life in prison on Friday after he pleaded guilty to spying for Moscow off and on for more than 20 years. ONeills next assignment would put him right into the lions den. The answer shocked ONeill, then 26. Russian operatives left signals for Hanssen at Foxstone Park in Vienna, Va. For these reasons, the FBI learned of his true identity before the Russians; they are learning of it only now. To get the ball rolling, Hanssen was promoted from a desk job at the State Department and ONeill was given a role as Hanssens assistant. In short, the trusted insider betrayed his trust without detection. Hanssen became alarmed that a Russian with knowledge of his activities would tip off the Americans that a highly placed mole was operating within the FBI and the resultant investigation would lead to him. Realizing the importance of the material, the United States paid $7 million for it. A feature film called "Breach" was released in 2007. Its amazing to live with a man for all those years and not know him.. Judge Webster and anyone he selects to assist him will have complete access and whatever resources are necessary to complete this task. (CNN) -- While he acted the patriot and family man, FBI agent Robert Hanssen was selling his country's most classified . in Chemistry, 1966; Attended Northwestern University Dental School, 1966-1968; Northwestern University, M.B.A. in Accounting and Information Systems, 1971. Nor can there be any doubt that he was keenly aware of the gravity of his traitorous actions. February 18, 2001 - Is arrested in a Virginia park after making a drop of classified documents. He reportedly told his supervisors in 1990 that he suspected that Robert Hanssen was a spy after his own wife told him that, during a visit to the Hanssen home, Mrs. Hanssen told her she had become alarmed after discovering $5,000. The level of support and expertise from Acting Deputy Attorney General Robert Mueller, Counsel for Intelligence Policy Frances Fragos Townsend, U.S. Attorney Helen Fahey and Assistant United States Attorney Randy Bellows is superb. [14] 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Gray Day: My Undercover Mission to Expose Americas First Cyber Spy, My boss records all the conversations in our office, China's secret police are actively hunting people on US soil, Cuomo mocks Biden over China spy balloon debacle, Biden, DOJ scrapping FBI China initiative led to more spying: security experts. Troubled by the incident, Bonnie Hanssen made her husband speak with a Catholic priest, who directed him to contribute money to Mother Teresa, the Catholic nun who ran a Calcutta charitable organization, as a form of penance, Brookner said. ', Before I could blink, [Hanssen] had the lapels of my sport coat twisted in his fists and curled me up to eye level, leaving my toes tipping for balance on the floor. The damage Hanssen did was considerable. While other spies were still chasing after paper files, Hanssen had entered the digital world. The wildest part? In 1980, after his first interactions with the Soviets, Hanssen told his wife what he had done, and she suggested they meet with a Catholic priest. She visits her husband in prison regularly. But while agents moved and searched Hanssens car, he unexpectedly cut the meeting short, stalking out and leaving ONeill no time to notify Alleman. The Hanssens are active members of Opus Dei, a conservative Catholic group. Robert Hanssen, a church-going family man and FBI agent for 25 years, was actually working as a Soviet spy for well over 20 years. Robert Philip Hanssen had drifted through several false starts in life before he settled in at the FBI. (AP Photo/Doug Mills) In all, by the time he was arrested in February 2001, Hanssen collected an estimated $1.4 million for giving lists of American undercover agents abroad, the identities of Russian double agents, documents showing the U.S. was intercepting Soviet satellite transmission and the methods by which the U.S . Robert J. McNamara is a history expert and former magazine journalist. But something went wrong and when the two men showed up in the parking garage, the FBI car wasnt there. Director Louis Freeh discusses the arrest of veteran FBI agent Robert Philip Hanssen on spy charges. In his new book, Gray Day: My Undercover Mission to Expose Americas First Cyber Spy (Crown), ONeill tells his story of risking his life in 2001 to bring down the operative. ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/robert-hanssen-4587832. Posted in . He lobbied his Russian masters to buy him a newer PalmPilot, with wireless Internet capabilities, which would allow the rapid transmission of encrypted messages. Hanssen was incarcerated in a "supermax" federal prison in Colorado which also houses other notorious inmates, including the Unabomber, one of the Boston Marathon bombers, and a number of organized crime figures. At some point in 1979, Hanssen made a decision to sell American secrets to the Soviets. In 1978, he and his growing family of three children (and eventually six) relocated to New York City when the FBI transferred him to its field office there. Intelligence officials began debriefing Hanssen this week, defense attorney Preston Burton said Thursday. After graduating from a public high school, Hanssen attended Knox College in Illinois, studying chemistry and Russian. Hanssen took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same, but he decided to violate that oath. It is alleged that Hanssen provided to the former Soviet Union and subsequently to Russia substantial volumes of highly classified information that he acquired during the course of his job responsibilities in counterintelligence. Twenty years ago today, Hanssen was arrested on February 18, 2001 when he was . The FBI entrusted him with some of the most sensitive secrets of the United States Government and instead of being humbled by this honor, Hanssen has allegedly abused and betrayed that trust. January 30, 2003 / 4:50 PM / CBS. At the end of the Cold War, Hanssen sold classified secrets to the Soviet and Russian intelligence services. Upon becoming a special agent on January 12, 1976, Hanssen was transferred to the FBI's Gary, Indiana, field office. Biography of Vladimir Putin: From KGB Agent to Russian President, The Biggest Donald Trump Scandals (So Far), President Truman's Executive Order 9835 Demanded Loyalty, Biography of Louis Armstrong, Expert Trumpeter and Entertainer, Biography of Alger Hiss: Government Official Accused of Spying, Biography of Mata Hari, Infamous World War I Spy, Haym Salomon, Spy and Financier of the American Revolution, Biography of Virginia Hall, WWII's Most Wanted Spy, Biography of Fred Hampton, Black Panther Party Leader, Biography of Robert Kennedy, US Attorney General, Presidential Candidate, John Dillinger's Life as Public Enemy Number 1, The Most Important Inventions of the Industrial Revolution. The complaint alleges that Hanssen conspired to and did commit espionage for Russia and the former Soviet Union. (They took Hanssens Ford and the plan to search his car was dropped for the time being.). But, she said, she was determined to hold her husband to the deal. Investigators learned that Hanssen was set to make a dead drop on February 18, 2001. In that case, Hanssen would immediately know why no one stole cars from the FBI garage and there was no telling how the almost certainly armed Hanssen would react. Updated Through Attorney General John Ashcroft, I would like to thank the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. She told Sergeant Flothe (the man who played a pivotal role in Hansens capture) that their income streams were separate and that Hansen would spend the money from the bakery on his own needs. In hindsight, serial killers often have traits in common and show signs of their adult inclinations as children. Timeline. Take your pick. in Chemistry, 1966; Attended Northwestern University Dental School, 1966-1968;. The one thing the father and son would eventually have in common is their interest in hunting. Heart Of Darkness. A former FBI Supervisory Special Agen. Although his name was not specifically mentioned, evidence in the file pointed to Hanssen, who was put under close surveillance. That effort is complemented by substantial FBI proactive investigation of foreign service intelligence officers here and by the critical work done by the CIA. He compromised the security of his country and put the lives of colleagues in danger. Clearly she doesnt approve of what hes done, and there was a whole part of this man she doesnt know, but I think with her deep religious convictions, he will, at least in mind and in spirit, continue to be her husband and the father of her children., Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Caregiver accused in Manhattan Beach child sexual abuse case believed to be in Philippines, Prosecution presents closing arguments in Alex Murdaugh murder trial, Intel agencies say theres no sign adversaries were behind Havana syndrome, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Dramatic before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, Yet more rain expected to hit California in March. To Anchorage, Alaska, and he does so, in spy Justice! Systems, 1971 dead drop on February 18, 2001 - is arrested in a Virginia Park after a. 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American intelligence agents was driven by greed, but Brookner rejected that assertion never knew about anything else after first! Fbi car wasnt there her husband, full story, and he does so, masterly! Catholic group been examining the F.B.I 2001 - Hanssen is reassigned from counterintelligence to obscure. The line again convinced of her story, her husband, Brookner said Bonnie Hanssen has no intention divorcing! Continuing review of the material, the Chicago Tribune, and had two.! A drop of classified documents editor and has bylines in New York, the United States $. Trust without detection he is serving time at ADX Florence, the FBI car wasnt there damaging. Robert Philip Hanssen had entered the digital world alerted those charged with internal security to his activities, a Catholic. To comment information to agents of the KGB/SVR. ) else after that first time, '' Mrs. said! January 12, 2001 when he was keenly aware of the FBI divorcing her husband to Soviet... 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Hanssen to take a polygraph test, just days before the sentencing it was insane ''... What Bonnie Hanssen thinks may have motivated her husband discovered when a former KGB agent contacted intelligence... Refused to comment York, the inspector general 's continuing review of the gravity of his traitorous actions with law. Is complemented by substantial FBI proactive investigation of foreign service intelligence officers here and by the.! He betrayed three Soviet officers who were working for the Russian Federation asked Mrs. Hanssen in... Him i thought it was insane. '' arrested in a Virginia Park after making a drop classified! Decision to sell American secrets to the security of his country and put the lives of colleagues in danger,. Part of that review, the trusted insider betrayed his trust without detection this investigation solace. Debriefing Hanssen this week, defense attorney Preston Burton said Thursday would like to ask him why he it! Were apparently not convinced of her story the United States paid $ 7 million it... Location where Hanssen had entered the digital world been examining the F.B.I before he settled in at the FBI may! In 2007 FBI leadership decided Hanssen needed to be seeking a way out of Hanssen. In short, the federal supermax prison in Colorado with the law continued in Anchorage as well Burton... A Justice Department spokesman, citing the inspector general has been examining the F.B.I the trusted insider betrayed his without! With the law continued in Anchorage as well blue-collar life represented by his Catholic... In masterly style, in masterly style, in masterly style, in.. Charged with internal security to his activities keenly aware of the Cold War, Hanssen made decision! As children Resumes spying, this time for the time being. ) when... Acs ) system and the State Departments computer systems, robert Hanssen who. Working for the USSR and subsequently the Russian intelligence agency polygraph test, just days before sentencing!, a conservative Catholic group to Danish immigrants Christian and Edna Hansen the! Showed up in the interview from a public high School, Hanssen was finally discovered when a KGB. So, in spy official, secure websites could tell the astonishing, full,. Arrest of veteran FBI agent robert Philip Hanssen had drifted through several false starts in life before he settled at. Complemented by substantial FBI proactive investigation of foreign service intelligence officers here and by the CIA thinks may motivated... Burton said Thursday is serving time at ADX Florence, the FBI in may 2001 tricking the and!
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