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. Robert was described as a loner and a quiet person, and he had a strained relationship as well with his strict and dominating father. The complaint alleges that Hanssen conspired to and did commit espionage for Russia and the former Soviet Union. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Hanssen was the son of a police officer. 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. He was arrested while in the process of using a dead drop to clandestinely provide numerous classified documents to his Russian handler. 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. 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. During the early 1990s, KGB veterans began to approach western intelligence agencies and provide information. Thanks for contacting us. Director Jenny Chung Writer Jenny Chung Stars Bob Aguilar Jim Babel Jeff Barber The criminal conduct alleged represents the most traitorous actions imaginable against a country governed by the Rule of Law. 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. 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.. For years, Hanssen stopped contacting the Russians. They never lived the high life; they never even went out to dinner, she said. Why is it so important to take [that] car? Hanssen demanded to know. Stahl reports that Hanssen invited his best friend to watch him. Or, rather, one person does. On 18 February 2001, Robert Hanssen was arrested and charged with committing espionage on behalf of the intelligence services of the former Soviet Union and its successors. Joining the FBI in the height of the Cold War, Robert Hanssen dreamed of the exciting life of a spy. He often steered conversations to talk of religion and his very conservative values, which were aligned with the very conservative Catholic organization Opus Dei. Did you encounter any technical issues? Robert Hanssen (left), a 25-year career FBI man, pleaded guilty to, among other charges, 13 counts of espionage for Russia. [Your wifes genetic code] demands she stay home and nurture the children. 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. The couple, however, did not have a great relationship. Russian operatives left signals for Hanssen at Foxstone Park in Vienna, Va. Posted in . Hanssen was an FBI agent for 25 years, but he was also a spy for the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation . Unlike Cold War spies of an earlier era, Hanssen claimed to have no political motivation for selling out his country. Hanssen checked the sign three times that night. 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. [14] To be very clear on this issue, at no time was he authorized to communicate information to agents of the KGB/SVR. General Polyakov had been spying for the United States since the early 1960's, but soon after Mr. Hanssen told the Russians of this, General Polyakov was forced to retire and was later executed. May 31, 2001 - Pleads not guilty to all charges. 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. But in 1999, while assigned as an FBI liaison with the State Department, he once again began selling American secrets. 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. One notable example was the information that the Americans had dug a tunnel under the Russian embassy in Washington to install sophisticated listening devices. The US government took the death penalty off the table in exchange for Hanssens full cooperation. 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.. 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. Imbecile! When these two KGB officials returned to Moscow, they were tried and convicted on espionage charges and executed. 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. Bokhan. Born in 1939 to a father who forced him to work long hours at the family bakery while subjecting him to ridicule and mockery and a mother who . A feature film called "Breach" was released in 2007. 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. One day in February, when Hanssen was away, ONeill took a risk and snuck into his boss office. Home; Features; Services; About; Contact; Login; Get Free Demo They were deported and arrested. Hanssen received payments of $1.4 million in cash and diamonds from the information he gave the Soviet Union and Russia. Today in Security. Hansen even followed in his fathers footsteps and opened up his own bakery. Couldnt this have waited till Monday? he asked. Browse 139 robert hanssen stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. He happens to be Catholic. His tale was also made into the 2007 movie Breach.. The plea bargain allows Bonnie Hanssen to receive about 55% of Hanssens pension, which will total an estimated $39,000 per year. This story has been shared 123,032 times. Children: Lisa, Greg, Mark, John "Jack," Sue and Jane. While not identifying himself, he was able to gain their trust by initially providing information which the Soviets found both credible and valuable. It wasnt money, thats for sure, she said, noting that the family lived in a modest home with three mortgages and drove older-model cars as they scrimped to send their children to private Catholic schools. . 's New York field office. After his first wife left him, Hansen was released from prison in late 1962. Heart Of Darkness. 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. For decades, the quirky but respected counterintelligence expert, religious family man, and father of six, sold top secret information to agents of the Soviet Union and Russia. Today's protagonist, Robert Hanssen, was an FBI agent who served his country for 20 years. But, she said, she was determined to hold her husband to the deal. Just then the door buzzed, indicating Hanssens return. After graduating from a public high school, Hanssen attended Knox College in Illinois, studying chemistry and Russian. The Soviets, suspicious of being lured into a trap, demanded to meet him. After Bonnie Hanssen confronted her husband, he told her that he had been in contact with his Soviet intelligence counterparts only as a ploy to trick them with disinformation, the attorney said. At least two movies have been made about Hanssen. I hate silence . We dont know at this point what happened to that money, she said. At least three Russian agents he identified had been executed, and it was suspected that he compromised dozens of intelligence operations. ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/robert-hanssen-4587832. I told him I thought it was insane.''. After five years working at the bureau as a ghost following suspects for a living he would be stepping out of the shadows: spying on someone in plain sight. Hanssen pled guilty to 15 counts of espionage on July 6, 2001. He pleaded guilty to 15 counts of espionage in July 2001 and was sentenced to prison without the possibility of parole. In this article, Hansens dynamic with his own family is discussed to give you a better insight into the life of the now-deceased murderer. Hanssen was suspected of leaking critical US intelligence. Robert Hanssen Ryan Phillippe Eric O'Neill Dennis Haysbert Dean Plesac Laura Linney Kate Burroughs Caroline Dhavernas Juliana O'Neill Gary Cole Rich Garces Kathleen Quinlan Bonnie Hanssen Bruce Davison John O'Neill Jonathan Watton Geddes Tom Barnett Jim Olsen Jonathan Potts D.I.A. She said she told the bureau the same thing immediately after her husband's arrest last year. A few years later, they moved to Anchorage, Alaska, and had two children. Nor would many other intelligence and counterintelligence accomplishments that routinely but quietly contribute to the security of this Nation. . (The bureau wanted someone pretty green so as not to arouse suspicion.) Robert Philip Hanssen, a 27 year veteran of the FBI, was a double agent. (Photo courtesy of FBI/Newsmakers). Hanssen gave them the name of a Russian general, Dimitri Polyakov, who had been providing information to the Americans. 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. Robert Phillip Hanssen was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 18, 1944. The full extent of the damage done is yet unknown because no accurate damage assessment could be conducted without jeopardizing the investigation. FBI and CIA personnel who debriefed Hanssen about his 21 years as a spy for Moscow found him a prickly, uncooperative character and won't be sorry to see him pulling hard time in a distant lock-up. Hanssen would now be ONeills boss. By ABC News. Now 74, he is serving time at ADX Florence, the federal supermax prison in Colorado. He had opportunity. Mr. Hanssen agreed, and his wife, pregnant with their fourth child, was relieved. She is also challenging some of her husbands credit card bills. 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