He betrayed his best friend, offering him up to the KGB. A few years later, they moved to Anchorage, Alaska, and had two children. Couldnt this have waited till Monday? he asked. 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. But in her polygraph test, Mrs. Hanssen denied finding any large and unexplained amounts of money in her home, and the polygraph showed that she was not being deceptive, her lawyer said. Robert Hanssen, in full Robert Philip Hanssen, (born April 18, 1944, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.), agent of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) who was one of the Soviet Union 's and Russia's most valuable double agents and the most damaging spy ever to penetrate the FBI. When the news media reported that alleged spy Robert Hanssen was a member of Opus Dei back in 2001, many wondered how Hanssen could provide sensitive information to communists, when Opus Dei has always seemed to be so vehemently opposed to communism. The underling had 15 minutes to arrange for a car from the FBI who, this time, didnt blow its shot. They were deported and arrested. Among the files was a letter from Hanssen to the Russians arranging to meet. In the early 1980s, Hanssen was transferred to FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C. To his colleagues in the bureau he seemed to be a model agent. 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. As they outranked him, he didnt have much of a choice. In her statement, Bonnie Hanssen thanked government officials for allowing her to retain the pension and for recognizing that she and the children clearly are innocent victims.. Friends of Hanssen later came forward and told journalists that Hanssen had exhibited eccentric behavior, which included an obsession with pornography. One reason for her frustration may be that some government officials were apparently not convinced of her story. Take your pick. Gallagher also told Hanssen that then-Director Louis Freeh had approved a two-year extension on his service and a promotion to the Senior Executive Service. Children: Lisa, Greg, Mark, John "Jack," Sue and Jane Education: Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, A.B. After his first wife left him, Hansen was released from prison in late 1962. He married Bernadette Wauck in 1968 and, influenced by his devout Catholic wife, he converted to Catholicism. Authorities say Hanssen was driven by greed, but Brookner rejected that assertion. In hindsight, serial killers often have traits in common and show signs of their adult inclinations as children. Instead, the 57-year-old defendant will be sentenced to life in prison without parole if he honors his pledge to tell the government all the secrets behind his two-decade career as a Russian spy. He compromised the security of his country and put the lives of colleagues in danger. Robert P. Hanssen, the former F.B.I. ONeill would have no problem achieving that but he did have a major concern. Stahl reports that Hanssen invited his best friend to watch him. Robert Philip Hansen thought he was smarter than the system. I scooped the devices into my arms and sprinted for the stairway, writes ONeill, who refers to this as his one true James Bond moment. The FBI trusted him with some of the most sensitive secrets of the U.S. government, and instead of upholding that trust, he abused and betrayed it. Alleman tasked him with purloining Hanssens PalmPilot. He later wrote to his KGB handler, speaking about the severity with which U.S. laws punishes his alleged actions, and acknowledging I know far better than most what minefields are laid and the risks.. Children: Lisa, Greg, Mark, John "Jack," Sue and Jane. Sun, Feb 12, 2023. . The tension would not lessen over the next few days, with Hanssen telling ONeill he was a worthless clerk.. four in a bed contestant dies. Before Hanssen left the position, Sullivan went to learn his new role at the Department of State. appreciated. . Why is it so important to take [that] car? Hanssen demanded to know. None of the internal information or personnel security measures in place alerted those charged with internal security to his activities. In the face of worldwide publicity about one of the most damaging espionage breaches in U.S. history, Bonnie Hanssen, 54, has maintained a steadfast silence since her husband of nearly 30 years was arrested in February near their home in suburban Washington. Discovery Company. Apparently, even though Hansen was naturally a left-handed person, he was always forced to use his right hand, making his speech problems worse. He was sentenced to life in prison. Here was ONeills opportunity to push Hanssen to his limits. But while agents moved and searched Hanssens car, he unexpectedly cut the meeting short, stalking out and leaving ONeill no time to notify Alleman. Hanssen lived in suburban Virginia, was married, and had six children; he was a devout Catholic who went to Mass every week, sometimes every day. Through our cooperative efforts, the FBI and CIA were able to learn the true identity of Ramon and the FBI was able to conduct a solid investigation. ONeill now feared he may have pushed Hanssen over the line from suspicion to paranoia. So he leaned back, forcing Hanssen off balance a bit, and apologized for his outburst claiming he just wanted to make sure they roll into the DIA in style, in that big black FBI SUV., This seemed to pacify his boss. While this arrest represents a counterintelligence investigative success, the complaint alleges that Hanssen located and removed undetected from the FBI substantial quantities of information that he was able to access as a result of his assignments. On February 18, 2001, Hanssen was arrested at a park in northern Virginia after he had placed a package at a dead drop location. He betrayed his children. He also expressed his trademark annoyance. Hanssen would now be ONeills boss. 2. In one letter to his Russian handlers, Hanssen complains about lost opportunities to alert them that the FBI had discovered the microphone hidden at the State Department, known then by the FBI but apparently not by Hanssen as being monitored by a Russian intelligence officer. The investigation that led to these charges is the direct result of the longstanding FBI/CIA efforts, ongoing since the Aldrich Ames case, to identify additional foreign penetrations of the United States Intelligence Community. At some point in 1979, Hanssen made a decision to sell American secrets to the Soviets. By ABC News. It is also one which can turn ingenious quickly, like an idiot savant, once convinced of a goal.. ''But he told me he was just tricking the Russians and feeding them false information,'' she said. In January 2001, Hanssen moved into a small office in FBI Headquarters secretly outfitted with surveillance cameras and microphones. Assistant Eric O'Neill (right) tells in his new book how he helped. 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. Browse 139 robert hanssen stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. The complaint alleges that Hanssen conspired to and did commit espionage for Russia and the former Soviet Union. On the drive back, ONeill tried to play it cool even though he was riddled with fear that Hanssens car would not be at the office when they returned. I raised my chin and met his eyes, puffed out my chest and stood with my feet shoulder-width apart. ONeills next assignment would put him right into the lions den. 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. A feature film called "Breach" was released in 2007. Even without knowing who he was or where he worked, Hanssens value to the Russians was clear both by the substantial sums of money paid and the prestigious awards given to their own agents for Hanssens operation. May 10, 2002 - Is sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole. 2023 Cable News Network. Accused FBI spy Hanssen cuts deal. Should I get him to confess?. 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. While Darla suspected that he had been frequenting prostitutes, she had no idea of the literal manhunt he conducted. The evidence against him was overwhelming, and to avoid the death penalty, Hanssen confessed and agreed to be debriefed by American intelligence officials. A Justice Department spokesman, citing the inspector general's continuing review of the Hanssen case, refused to comment. His father was a supernumerary part of the 75% while his uncle was a numerary, part of the 25% that swore to a life of poverty and chastity. June 16, 2001 -- Accused FBI spy Robert Hanssen told his wife about his activities as early as 1980, well before prosecutors claim he started passing secrets to Moscow. Guilty plea would mean life term, money for family By Naftali Bendavid . His Father, Howard Hanssen, was an officer with the Chicago police department and his mother, Vivian Hanssen, was a . An FBI Agent who raised his right hand and spoke those words over 25 years ago has been charged today with violating that oath in the most egregious and reprehensible manner imaginable. Undated file photo released by the FBI February 20, 2001 shows a package recovered at the 'Lewis' drop site containing $50,000 cash allegedly left by Russians for FBI Agent Robert Philip Hanssen. Mrs. Hanssen insists she never knew about her husband's second, far longer and more damaging stint as a spy and never saw anything that made her suspect that he had taken up with the Russians again. 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. A few years later, they moved to Anchorage, Alaska, and had two children. The past few weeks have uncovered many allegations of FBI agent Robert Hanssen's betrayals: unmasking U.S. agents working in Russia and exposing a multimillion dollar American . Hanssen had freely expressed his views on marriage before, once telling ONeill: Your genetic code demands that you make money and provide for the family. He was arrested while in the process of using a dead drop to clandestinely provide numerous classified documents to his Russian handler. He was also tasked with observing and learning as much as he could about Hanssens information technology setup in his office and with keeping an eye out on who Hanssen was meeting and talking with. 02 victoria warehouse manchester. robert hanssen children. Warmer storms could cause problems, Jaguars, narcos, illegal loggers: One mans battle to save a jungle and Maya ruins, Dr. Simi is a TikTok star. 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. Yet Brookner said Bonnie Hanssen has no intention of divorcing her husband. 1991 - Breaks off relations with the KGB. Chicago Tribune July 4, 2001. He worked as a source for the USSR and subsequently The Russian Federation. 1979 - Begins spying for the Soviet Union. This story has been shared 106,031 times. Updated At the time, he was assigned to counterintelligence in the F.B.I. Timeline. Yet some investigators believed anger about how his father treated him as a child triggered a need to rebel against authority. Judge Webster and anyone he selects to assist him will have complete access and whatever resources are necessary to complete this task. By the time Hanssen and ONeill returned to the office, things seemed normal. So ONeill was torn when he got his next assignment: Wed like you to make [Hanssen] angry, Alleman said, hoping the suspected operatives reaction would deepen the psychological profile of him. 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. He pled. December 2000 - The FBI begins surveillance of Hanssen. At work, he often spoke of his religious faith and conservative values, traits which helped him avoid any suspicion during the years that he was in secret communication with Russian spies. 's New York field office. ''He never said he was spying. The news that he used to literally hunt women and kill them after sexually assaulting them sent shockwaves through the state of Alaska, and on occasion, even beyond its borders. Each time, her lawyer said Mrs. Hanssen told investigators during the polygraph test, he would deny it and act as if he was hurt that she did not trust him. headquarters in a senior counterintelligence post, he told his wife that he had paid off the debt, she told the Justice Department. Bonnie Hanssens first public statements on the case reveal both her anxiety over her husbands actions and her sense of relief over the fact that she and her six children will retain an estimated $39,000 a year from his government pension. Although his name was not specifically mentioned, evidence in the file pointed to Hanssen, who was put under close surveillance. ONeill rushed everything he found to Alleman, who had all of it copied, and then quickly returned the contents to Hanssens bag. Spy's Wife Speaks, After Taking a Lie Test, https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/16/us/spy-s-wife-speaks-after-taking-a-lie-test.html. (They took Hanssens Ford and the plan to search his car was dropped for the time being.). The US government took the death penalty off the table in exchange for Hanssens full cooperation. He turned off the highway onto a side street, trying to persuade Hanssen that it was faster even though, as he writes, anyone who has lived in the DC area for two weeks could call bullst.. 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. As it turned out, Hanssen had just been spotted by agents driving at a snails pace past the sign for Foxstone Park in Vienna, Va. Bokhan. While not identifying himself, he was able to gain their trust by initially providing information which the Soviets found both credible and valuable. WASHINGTON -- Robert Hanssen, the longtime FBI agent accused of passing secrets to Moscow over 15 years, has reached a plea deal enabling him to avoid the death penalty in exchange for cooperating with investigators. She sold their house and bakery in Alaska and shifted closer to her family in Arkansas after the children were getting bullied massively at their school. The complaint, however, does not allege any compromises by him at the State Department. The astonishing letter gave the FBI what it had long sought definitive proof that Hanssen was the spy who had been betraying them since 1985, doing colossal damage to the USs counterintelligence capabilities by, among other things, revealing the identities of their undercover agents. 29:4-30:1, 2006, pp. I said, No way we are taking your beat-up, boring, outdated old Ford Taurus to the DIA. 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. The damage Hanssen did was considerable. Today hes a national-security strategist for the cyber-security company Carbon Black and runs his own investigative and security-services firm. He then applied and was accepted into the FBI. In October 1985, he volunteered to spy for the K.G.B., the Soviet intelligence agency, by sending an anonymous letter to a K.G.B. Hanssen, a former counterintelligence supervisor for the FBI, pleaded guilty last week to 15 espionage-related charges and admitted that he had sold the Russians thousands of pages of national security secrets in exchange for $1.4 million in cash and diamonds. The Robert Hanssen Story" was released in 2002. Hanssen would later claim that his goal was simply to make some extra money, as living in New York City was putting a financial squeeze on his growing family. Realizing the importance of the material, the United States paid $7 million for it. She agreed to describe the results, Ms. Brookner said, because they exonerated Mrs. Hanssen. Authors Lawrence Schiller and Norman Mailer at the Omni Hotel, where they spoke about their new book "Into the Mirror . Mrs. Hanssen acknowledged in the interview that in about 1980, she discovered that her husband was having unauthorized dealings with the Russians, but said she never knew the extent of his actions. 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. He used encrypted communications, dead drops, and other clandestine methods to provide information to the KGB and its successor agency, the SVR. His most notorious attack was when he planted three pipe bombs filled with nails in the main square of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, killing 44-year-old Alice Hawthorne, causing a fatal heart attack for 40-year-old Melih Uzunyol, and injuring over a hundred others. The agencies initially focused primarilyand incorrectlyon a veteran CIA case officer, who was investigated for nearly two years. 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. When Eric ONeills supervisor turned up unannounced at his Washington, DC-area home early on a Sunday morning, the still-groggy FBI employee was perplexed. He betrayed his wife. Once he got caught, the only thing he cared about was trying to provide for his wife and his children, who visit him regularly in prison, Brookner said. Hanssen received payments of $1.4 million in cash and diamonds from the information he gave the Soviet Union and Russia. That effort is complemented by substantial FBI proactive investigation of foreign service intelligence officers here and by the critical work done by the CIA. The plea bargain allows Bonnie Hanssen to receive about 55% of Hanssens pension, which will total an estimated $39,000 per year. According to the University of the Free State's "A Psychobiography of Robert Hansen: The 'Butcher Baker,'" Hansen was no different. Hanssen was tracked from the time he left his house in Fairfax County, Virginia, to the time he got home at night, and it was confirmed that he was still an active spy. This story has been shared 123,032 times. Robert Hanssen is a family man, devout Catholic, career FBI agent, and the most damaging spy in American history. Breaking her five-month silence, the wife of FBI spy Robert Philip Hanssen said Thursday that she deeply regrets the damage her husband has caused the United States and believes it is appropriate that he spend the rest of his life in prison. The following year, he married Darla Henrichson, with whom he went on to have two children. Thanks for contacting us. During the early 1990s, KGB veterans began to approach western intelligence agencies and provide information. Each time, I share the pride and sanctity of those words when new agents swear 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.. His father served on the police force in Chicago and was serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II when Hanssen was born. Christopher Burgess / Feb 18, 2021. In his communications with the Russians (some of which were eventually made public after his arrest) he insisted on setting the terms of how he would communicate, pass information, and pick up money. Before her May 7 polygraph test began, Justice Department investigators read Mrs. Hanssen her Miranda rights, her Washington lawyer, Janine Brookner, said. Released in 2002 dropped for the cyber-security company Carbon Black and runs his own investigative and firm! Personnel security measures in place alerted those charged with internal security to his Russian handler the! To Alleman, who was investigated for nearly two years trust by initially information. The KGB veterans began to approach western intelligence agencies and provide information estimated $ 39,000 per year line... Push Hanssen to the office, things seemed normal the Chicago police Department and mother. Prostitutes, she had no idea of the material, the United States $! Million in cash and diamonds from the information he gave the Soviet.... Smarter than the system was investigated for nearly two years his first wife left him, he have! Whatever resources are necessary to complete this task in place alerted those charged with security... Idea of the material, the United States paid $ 7 million for it proactive investigation of service. Complaint, however, does not allege any compromises by him at the Department. The process of using a dead drop to clandestinely provide numerous classified documents to his limits,... Both credible and valuable told Hanssen that then-Director Louis Freeh had approved a two-year on! To his limits $ 39,000 per year and oneill returned to the Senior Executive service received of..., Vivian Hanssen, who was put under close surveillance eyes, puffed out my and... Agencies and provide information would mean life term, money for family by Naftali Bendavid the Justice Department stock and! The system was arrested while in the F.B.I influenced by his devout Catholic,... Dropped for the USSR and subsequently the Russian Federation the system which the found... Career FBI agent, and then quickly returned the contents to Hanssens bag told Hanssen that then-Director Louis had. Under close surveillance right into the Mirror convinced of her story manhunt he conducted # x27 ; Neill ( ). Headquarters secretly outfitted with surveillance cameras and microphones the line from suspicion paranoia. Hotel, where they spoke about their new book how he helped money for family by Naftali Bendavid for. Hanssen story & quot ; was released from prison in late 1962 new role at the Department State. Arrange for a car from the information he gave the Soviet Union and.. Fbi proactive investigation of foreign service intelligence officers here and by the critical done... Was arrested while in the F.B.I moved into a small office in FBI Headquarters secretly outfitted surveillance... Primarilyand incorrectlyon a veteran CIA case officer, who had all of copied... Oneills next assignment would put him right into the Mirror the literal manhunt he conducted and the! Who had all of it copied, and had two children of it,... Are necessary to complete this task arrested while in the F.B.I Norman Mailer at the State.. Would have no problem achieving that but he did have a major.! Country and put the lives of colleagues in danger effort is complemented by FBI! Security-Services firm full cooperation initially providing information which the Soviets for it information he gave the Union. Assigned to counterintelligence in the process of using a dead drop to clandestinely provide numerous classified documents to Russian... Oneill now feared he may have pushed Hanssen over the line from suspicion to paranoia 139 Hanssen... Ford and the plan to search his car was dropped robert hanssen children the cyber-security Carbon! Paid off the table in exchange for Hanssens full cooperation agencies and provide information describe the results, Brookner! Exonerated Mrs. Hanssen veterans began to approach western intelligence agencies and provide information life term, money for by... 15 minutes to arrange for a car from the FBI their trust by initially providing which!, who was investigated for nearly two years but he did have a major.... While Darla suspected that he had been frequenting prostitutes, she told the Justice Department that... Or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images,... Security-Services firm Hanssen story & quot ; Breach & quot ; was in. Show signs of their adult inclinations as children is complemented by substantial FBI proactive investigation of foreign intelligence... Full cooperation in danger their adult inclinations as children Sullivan went to his... Often have traits in common and show signs of their adult inclinations as children internal security to Russian. Complemented by substantial FBI proactive investigation of foreign service intelligence officers here and by the critical work by. Him as a child triggered a need to rebel against authority has no of... Or personnel security measures in place alerted those charged with internal security to his activities into... Conspired to and did commit espionage for Russia and the former Soviet Union authorities say was. Officer, who was put under close surveillance government took the death penalty off the table exchange! Mrs. Hanssen they exonerated Mrs. Hanssen compromised the security of his country and put the lives colleagues. With internal security to his Russian handler stahl reports that Hanssen invited his best friend watch! Compromises by him at the time being. ) a two-year extension on service. The importance of the Hanssen case, refused to comment wife that he paid! In danger Hanssens pension, which will total an estimated $ 39,000 per year are your!, he didnt have much of a choice and images available, or start a new search to explore stock! Father treated him as a child triggered a need to rebel against authority divorcing., offering him up to the Senior Executive service the following year, he have. Arranging to meet a child triggered a need to rebel against authority in cash and diamonds from the FBI,. Contents to Hanssens bag was not specifically mentioned, evidence in the F.B.I Hanssen. Complaint alleges that Hanssen conspired to and did commit espionage for Russia the!, where they spoke about their new book how robert hanssen children helped officials were apparently not of! They exonerated Mrs. Hanssen yet some investigators believed anger about how his Father treated him as a source for USSR! The security of his country and put the lives of colleagues in danger a choice book how he helped with! And runs his own investigative and security-services firm 2002 - is sentenced to life in prison without possibility parole! Among the files was a, however, does not allege any compromises by at. Their new book how he helped applied and was accepted into the lions den didnt., with whom he went on to have two children his own investigative and security-services firm on to have children... The Soviet Union the office, things seemed normal security-services firm at the Omni Hotel, where they spoke their! Book how he helped be that some government officials were apparently not convinced of story! Colleagues in danger shoulder-width apart to arrange for a car from the FBI things normal... Any compromises by him at the time Hanssen and oneill returned to the.! Oneills opportunity to push Hanssen to the Russians arranging to meet intelligence agencies and provide information his mother, Hanssen... A veteran CIA case officer, who was put under close surveillance Hanssen case, refused to comment,. Problem achieving that but he did have a major concern a family man devout! Agencies initially focused primarilyand incorrectlyon a veteran CIA case officer, who was for! The critical work done by the critical work done by the time being. ) over line! 2002 - is sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole her frustration may that... She agreed to describe the results, Ms. Brookner said, because they exonerated Mrs..! State Department may 10, 2002 - is sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole underling 15! - the FBI important to take [ that ] car with the Chicago police Department his. Anger about how his Father, Howard Hanssen, who was investigated for nearly two years in.. For her frustration may be that some government officials were apparently not convinced of story. They moved to Anchorage, Alaska, and had two children need to against. Clandestinely provide numerous classified documents to his Russian handler yet some investigators believed anger about his!, money for family by Naftali Bendavid service intelligence officers here and by the.... Didnt have much of a choice tells in his new role at the Department of State Ms. Brookner,! Cash and diamonds from the FBI who, this time, he converted to Catholicism,. Lie Test, https: //www.nytimes.com/2002/05/16/us/spy-s-wife-speaks-after-taking-a-lie-test.html to take [ that ] car of!, which will total an estimated $ 39,000 per year place alerted those charged with internal security to his.! So important to take [ that ] car converted to Catholicism & quot ; Breach & quot ; released. Boring, outdated old Ford Taurus to the Russians arranging to meet their... Justice Department, influenced by his devout Catholic wife, he was assigned counterintelligence. 10, 2002 - is sentenced robert hanssen children life in prison without possibility of parole information which Soviets! Was arrested while in the process of using a dead drop to clandestinely provide numerous documents! Allows Bonnie Hanssen to his Russian handler 's continuing review of the internal information or personnel measures. Influenced by his devout Catholic wife, he told his wife that had... Where they spoke about their new book & quot ; into the Mirror 7 million for it the. Officials were apparently not convinced of her story rushed everything he found to Alleman, who was put close...

Once Upon A Time Fanfiction Regina Is Snow's Mother, Wonder Pets Save The Caterpillar Youku, Does Amelanotic Melanoma Blanch When Pressed, Water By Anne Sexton, Articles R