The Spy Who Betrayed The FBI

Summary

The script narrates the story of Robert Philip Hansen, the most damaging mole in FBI history. A former Chicago police officer turned FBI agent, Hansen spied for the Soviet Union and Russia from 1979, betraying countless secrets and leading to the execution of several double agents. Despite numerous investigations and suspicions, it wasn't until 2001, with the help of a fellow agent turned informant, that the FBI apprehended him. Sentenced to 15 consecutive life sentences, Hansen's case remains a stark reminder of the perils of internal security breaches.

Takeaways

• 🕵️‍♂️ Robert Hansen was an FBI agent who became the most damaging mole in the history of the FBI.
• 📅 The story begins with a conversation between KGB agent Alexander and a mole on July 21, 1986, which led to a $7 million investigation to uncover the mole's identity.
• 🔍 The mole, later identified as Robert Hansen, was suspected but evaded detection for over two decades, causing the deaths of several FBI operatives.
• 🇷🇺 The mole's activities were linked to the exposure of several high-ranking Soviet agents, including Major General Dimitri Polyakov, who were subsequently executed.
• 🔑 Hansen had access to sensitive information and was involved in compiling a database of Soviet intelligence, which he used to betray his country.
• 💰 His primary motivation for espionage was personal financial gain, receiving over $1.4 million, diamonds, and Rolex watches for his services.
• 📦 Hansen used dead drops, leaving classified information in inconspicuous locations for his KGB handlers to collect.
• 🔍 The FBI's investigation into the mole involved extensive surveillance and scrutiny of potential suspects, including Brian Kelly, who was initially the prime suspect.
• 🔗 A key piece of evidence was a recording of the mole's voice and a quote by General George S. Patton, which led to the identification of Hansen.
• 👤 Hansen's personal assistant, Eric O'Neal, played a crucial role in the investigation by secretly downloading encrypted files from Hansen's PDA.
• 🛑 Hansen was finally caught in the act of making a drop on February 18, 2001, leading to his arrest and sentencing to 15 consecutive life sentences without parole.

Q & A

Who was the FBI mole known as 'B'?

The FBI mole known as 'B' was Robert Philip Hansen, a former Chicago police officer turned FBI agent who spied for the Soviet Union and later Russia.

What significant event occurred on July 21st, 1986, involving KGB agent Alexander and a mole?

On July 21st, 1986, KGB agent Alexander had a conversation with the FBI mole 'B', which was later recorded on an audio tape. This conversation led to a $7 million investigation to locate the mole.

How did the mole's activities impact the FBI's operations?

The mole's activities exposed numerous US secrets to the Russians, leading to the deaths of several FBI operatives working secretly within the KGB and causing significant damage to US intelligence efforts.

What was the role of Major General Dimitri Polyakov in the context of the script?

Major General Dimitri Polyakov was a double agent for the Soviet Union, code-named 'Top Hat'. He provided invaluable information to the CIA and FBI, but was eventually arrested by the KGB and executed for treason.

Why was Aldrich Ames suspected of being involved in the exposure of the mole?

Aldrich Ames was suspected because he had exposed virtually all CIA and other American and foreign service agents working within the Soviet Union. However, it was later realized that Ames could not have warned the Russians about the investigation into the mole.

What was the significance of the quote by General George S. Patton in identifying the mole?

The quote by General George S. Patton was used by the mole in his notes. An FBI agent recognized the quote, which led to the identification of Robert Hansen as the mole.

How did Robert Hansen manage to avoid detection for so long?

Hansen managed to avoid detection by being meticulous in his espionage activities, using dead drops for information exchange, and by cleverly avoiding implicating himself in the investigations he was assigned to.

What was 'Operation Monopoly' and how did Hansen compromise it?

'Operation Monopoly' was a secret tunnel built by the FBI beneath a decoding room in the Soviet Embassy. Hansen compromised the operation by informing his Soviet handlers of its existence, rendering it ineffective.

How did the FBI finally confirm that Hansen was the mole?

The FBI confirmed Hansen as the mole through a combination of circumstantial evidence, including his access to all compromised cases, and a fingerprint found on a garbage bag in a Russian file that matched Hansen's.

What was the role of Eric O'Neal in Hansen's capture?

Eric O'Neal was an undercover specialist and personal assistant to Hansen. He was tasked with watching Hansen closely and helped the FBI by retrieving data from Hansen's PDA, which revealed the location and timing of a planned drop.

What was the outcome of Robert Hansen's trial?

Robert Hansen pleaded guilty to multiple counts of espionage and was sentenced to 15 consecutive life sentences without parole, which he served in the supermax prison in Colorado until his death in 2023.