ONeill would have no problem achieving that but he did have a major concern. Christopher Burgess / Feb 18, 2021. 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. ''I never knew about anything else after that first time,'' Mrs. Hanssen said in the interview. Chicago Tribune July 4, 2001. Pressed to explain what he was doing, she said, he acknowledged that he was dealing with the Russians. Expert interviews recount Hanssen's life, how he stayed hidden for over 20 years, and the events leading to his arrest. Hanssen made the donation to a charity affiliated with Mother Teresa, and cut off contact with the Soviets for the next few years. I slammed the door behind me and slid to a halt in Hanssens office.. For a time he planned to become a dentist, but eventually wound up obtaining an MBA and becoming an accountant. 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. Never have we seen such a media fixation on any person accused of a crime whose religion bears . 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. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 Hanssen became much more wary. Children: Lisa, Greg, Mark, John "Jack," Sue and Jane. Intelligence. 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. Opus Dei and Hanssen: Masters of Paradox . While Darla suspected that he had been frequenting prostitutes, she had no idea of the literal manhunt he conducted. Who were Robert Hansen's wives and children? 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.. Since becoming Director over seven years ago, I have administered the FBI oath to each graduating class of Special Agents at the FBI Academy. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Long-lost ship found at the bottom of Lake Huron, confirming story of tragic collision, TikTok to set default daily time limit of up to 60 minutes for minors, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Shocking, impossible gas bills push restaurants to the brink of closures, TikTok faces bans in a number of countries over security fears. had too readily accepted Mrs. Hanssen's version of events. Follow. This story has been shared 149,018 times. She said she told the bureau the same thing immediately after her husband's arrest last year. He wanted to interview Hanssen for the book but was refused. I would like to ask him why he did it, ONeill told The Post. An FBI arrest team moved into position at Foxstone Park, a location where Hanssen had been spotted before by FBI surveillance. 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.. Because of these coordinated efforts, the FBI was able to secure original Russian documentation of an American spy who appeared to the FBI to be Hanssen a premise that was soon to be confirmed when Hanssen was identified by the FBI as having clandestinely communicated with Russian intelligence officers. According to the University of the Free State's "A Psychobiography of Robert Hansen: The 'Butcher Baker,'" Hansen was no different. Although Robert Hanssen forfeited all the money he received from Moscow, his wife and six children get to keep their Vienna, Va., home and three cars, under the plea agreement. Did you encounter any technical issues? The couple, however, did not have a great relationship. Director Jenny Chung Writer Jenny Chung Stars Bob Aguilar Jim Babel Jeff Barber I told him I thought it was insane.''. He used encrypted communications, dead drops, and other clandestine methods to provide information to the KGB and its successor agency, the SVR. Should I get him to confess?. One might propose that I am either insanely brave or quite insane. Russian operatives left signals for Hanssen at Foxstone Park in Vienna, Va. 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. The Justice Department's inspector general has been examining the F.B.I. Hanssen wanted to be posted to Allenwood in hopes that he might be visited frequently by his wife Bonnie and their six children. 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. The agencies initially focused primarilyand incorrectlyon a veteran CIA case officer, who was investigated for nearly two years. 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. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Heres a list, Greek transportation minister resigns over train collision as death toll keeps rising, Ohios senators to unveil rail safety bill in wake of East Palestine derailment, After months of pounding, Ukrainian official says military may pull back from Bakhmut, Elizabeth Holmes cites her new baby as a reason she should avoid prison for Theranos scam. Couldnt this have waited till Monday? he asked. The evidence against him was overwhelming, and to avoid the death penalty, Hanssen confessed and agreed to be debriefed by American intelligence officials. He betrayed his God. ONeill rushed everything he found to Alleman, who had all of it copied, and then quickly returned the contents to Hanssens bag. 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. NOTE: The following is an excerpt from an article by Lee Penn, "Opus Dei & the Da Vinci Code, part II", published in the Journal of the Spiritual Counterfeits Project [SCP] (Vol. Over the next few years, she said, she questioned him about whether he was working with the Russians once more. For these reasons, the FBI learned of his true identity before the Russians; they are learning of it only now. children: Greg Hanssen, Jane Hanssen, John Hanssen, Lisa Hanssen, Mark Hanssen, Sue Hanssen Born Country: United States Spies American Men City: Chicago, Illinois Notable Alumni: Knox College (Illinois) U.S. State: Illinois More Facts Recommended Lists: American People Kellogg School Of Management Male Spies American Spies Aries Men (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 . As Hanssen walked back to his car, the arrest team rushed up and took him into custody. During his 15 years as an alleged Russian mole, Robert Hanssen had access to many vital . You can call me sir, or boss, Hanssen said. He betrayed his wife. Literally, Hanssens colleagues and coworkers at the FBI conducted this investigation and did so quietly, securely and without hesitation. A bakery owner by trade, Hansen was also an avid outdoorsman and. 40K views 2 years ago On this day February 18, 2001, Robert Hanssen was arrested and charged with committing espionage on behalf of the intelligence services of the former Soviet Union. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Home; Features; Services; About; Contact; Login; Get Free Demo 29:4-30:1, 2006, pp. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/robert-hanssen-4587832. "I have opened the door for calumny against my totally innocent wife and children. Is sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole. She said that her husband is ''doing about as well as can be expected,'' and that ''he is very relieved that I have the pension. As alleged, he did so using a variety of sophisticated means of communication, encryption, and dead drops. He began providing the Soviets with highly valuable material. https://www.thoughtco.com/robert-hanssen-4587832 (accessed March 1, 2023). Our hearts go out to them. 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. In fact, he had already betrayed one of the United States' most important agents: Gen. Dmitri Polyakov of the G.R.U. Heart Of Darkness. "Robert Hanssen, FBI Agent Who Became a Soviet Mole." Regrettably, I stand here today both saddened and outraged. One reason for her frustration may be that some government officials were apparently not convinced of her story. 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.. He pled. 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. Our joint efforts over the last several years and specifically in this case should give pause to those contemplating betrayal of the Nations trust. Two and a half years ago, the FBI arrested Robert Hanssen, a 22-year veteran of the bureau, for selling secrets to Russia. Authors Lawrence Schiller and Norman Mailer at the Omni Hotel, where they spoke about their new book "Into the Mirror . Interestingly, Hansen got married twice. The lawyer, who watched the polygraph session through a one-way mirror, took notes and discussed the results with the Justice Department's polygraphers, she said. 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. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. 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. Anything else while were at it? Timeline. Did you see it?. Hanssen, 56, was an FBI agent for 25 . Classic animal aggression, ONeill writes. After his first wife left him, Hansen was released from prison in late 1962. The Hanssens are active members of Opus Dei, a conservative Catholic group. 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. 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. Today, Mrs. Hanssen is teaching at a Catholic school in suburban Virginia and is living in the house she shared with her husband and their six children. He worked as a source for the USSR and subsequently The Russian Federation. Assistant Eric O'Neill (right) tells in his new book how he helped. Joining the FBI in the height of the Cold War, Robert Hanssen dreamed of the exciting life of a spy. 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.. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. 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. Robert Hanssen is a family man, devout Catholic, career FBI agent, and the most damaging spy in American history. His growing family would need space, and Hanssen's vision of himself required that he provide for them while Bonnie managed the home and raised their children. She is also challenging some of her husbands credit card bills. Robert Philip Hanssen had drifted through several false starts in life before he settled in at the FBI. McNamara, Robert. February 18 marks the 20th anniversary of the arrest of Robert Hanssen, one of the most damaging spies in U.S. history. 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. A few years later, they moved to Anchorage, Alaska, and had two children. 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. Posted in . 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 betrayed his children. Just then the door buzzed, indicating Hanssens return. This is particularly timely as we move to the next generation of automation to support the FBIs information infrastructure. 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. We've received your submission. FBI leadership decided Hanssen needed to be removed from his temporary position and brought back to FBI Headquarters. Take your pick. They have committed their lives to public service and to upholding the high standards of the FBI. 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. By February 2001, about 300 personnel were working the investigation and monitoring Hanssen. . TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Director Tenet and I have briefed the intelligence committees of Congress because of the clear national security implications. The answer shocked ONeill, then 26. He married Bernadette Wauck in 1968 and, influenced by his devout Catholic wife, he converted to Catholicism. In school, he was bullied for his acne, girls would not talk to him, and he also developed a stutter. Hanssen pled guilty to 15 counts of espionage on July 6, 2001. As difficult as this moment is for the FBI and for the country, I am immensely proud of the men and women who conducted this investigation. A Warner Bros. I always liked writing privately in journals, but writing publicly is new. agent sentenced to life in prison on Friday after he pleaded guilty to spying for Moscow off and on for more than 20 years. Moron! He was, after all, a trained counterintelligence specialist. But Thursday, Bonnie Hanssen issued a statement through her attorney revealing the torment that the case has caused. 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 . 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. Thanks for contacting us. 1981 - Hanssens wife catches him with classified documents and convinces him to stop spying. Michelle Karr. She did not want her husband to be tempted to work for the Russians again, she told the Justice Department. 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. Many of the questions centered on assertions made by Mrs. Hanssen's brother, Mark Wauck, an F.B.I. While other spies were still chasing after paper files, Hanssen had entered the digital world. January 12, 2001 - Hanssen is reassigned from counterintelligence to an obscure office at FBI headquarters. In the letter, Hanssen revealed that he had dreamed of being a spy against his country since the age of 14, after reading a book about Kim Philby the British intelligence officer who was also a Russian double agent. As a young man, he seemed to be seeking a way out of the blue-collar life represented by his boyhood neighborhood. So Alleman instead asked ONeill to drive Hanssen to a meeting at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in an FBI vehicle that way, she could have someone search Hanssens car while he was out of the office. The affidavit alleges that Hanssen voluntarily became an agent of the KGB in 1985 while assigned to the intelligence division at the FBI field office in New York City as supervisor of a foreign counterintelligence squad. The investigation of Hanssen was conducted by the FBI in partnership with the CIA, the Department of State, and, of course, the Justice Department. Hanssen was detailed to the Office of Foreign Missions at the Department of State from 1995 to 2000. A Justice Department spokesman, citing the inspector general's continuing review of the Hanssen case, refused to comment. 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. McNamara, Robert. As part of that review, the inspector general asked Mrs. Hanssen to take a polygraph test, just days before the sentencing. It was not a very demanding job, said Sullivan. 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. She said she had none, and the polygraph showed no indication of deception, Ms. Brookner said. 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. Robert P. Bucciarelli, a priest affiliated with Opus Dei, a conservative Catholic organization the Hanssens had joined several years earlier. While the risk that an employee of the United States Government will betray his country can never be eliminated, there must be more that the FBI can do to protect itself from such an occurrence. COVID origins? Hansen even followed in his fathers footsteps and opened up his own bakery. 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. 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 . 1980 - Begins working for the counterintelligence unit, focusing on the Soviet Union. The one thing the father and son would eventually have in common is their interest in hunting. His job was to help assemble a database of foreign officials posted in New York who, while posing as diplomats, were actually intelligence officers spying on the United States. 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