Robert Philip Hanssen Espionage Case
Press
Release
Statement of FBI Director
Louis J. Freeh On the Arrest of FBI Special Agent Robert Philip Hanssen
Photographs | Affidavit
Press
Release
For Immediate
Release
February 20, 2001 |
Washington
D.C.
FBI National Press Office |
Attorney General John
Ashcroft, FBI Director Louis J. Freeh and United
States Attorney Helen Fahey announced today that
a veteran FBI counterintelligence Agent was arrested
Sunday by the FBI and charged with committing espionage
by providing highly classified national security
information to Russia and the former Soviet Union.
At the time of the arrest
at a park in Vienna, Virginia, Robert Philip Hanssen,
age 56, was clandestinely placing a package containing
highly classified information at a pre-arranged,
or "dead drop," site for pick-up by his
Russian handlers. Hanssen had previously received
substantial sums of money from the Russians for the
information he disclosed to them.
FBI Director Louis J.
Freeh expressed both outrage and sadness. He said
the charges, if proven, represent "the most
serious violations of law -- and threat to national
security."
"A betrayal of trust
by an FBI Agent, who is not only sworn to enforce
the law but specifically to help protect our nation's
security, is particularly abhorrent. This kind of
criminal conduct represents the most traitorous action
imaginable against a country governed by the Rule
of Law. It also strikes at the heart of everything
the FBI represents -- the commitment of over 28,000
honest and dedicated men and women in the FBI who
work diligently to earn the trust and confidence
of the American people every day."
"These kinds of
cases are the most difficult, sensitive and sophisticated
imaginable. I am immensely proud of the men and women
of the FBI who conducted this investigation. Their
actions represent counterintelligence at its very
best, reflecting dedication to both principle and
mission. It is not an easy assignment to investigate
a colleague, but they did so unhesitatingly, quietly
and securely."
Hanssen was charged in
a criminal complaint filed in Federal court in Alexandria,
Virginia, with espionage and conspiracy to commit
espionage, violations that carry a possible punishment
of life in prison, and under certain circumstances,
the death penalty. Following the arrest, FBI Agents
began searching Hanssen's residence, automobiles
and workspace for additional evidence.
A detailed affidavit,
filed in support of the criminal complaint and search
warrants, provides a troubling account of how Hanssen
first volunteered to furnish highly sensitive documents
to KGB intelligence officers assigned to the Soviet
embassy in Washington, D.C. The affidavit chronicles
the systematic transfer of highly classified national
security and counterintelligence information by Hanssen
in exchange for diamonds and cash worth more than
$600,000. Hanssen's activities also have links to
other, earlier espionage and national security investigations
including the Aldrich Ames and Felix Bloch cases,
according to the affidavit.
The affidavit alleges
that on over 20 separate occasions, Hanssen clandestinely
left packages for the KGB, and its successor agency,
the SVR, at dead drop sites in the Washington area.
He also provided over two dozen computer diskettes
containing additional disclosures of information.
Overall, Hanssen gave the KGB/SVR more than 6,000
pages of valuable documentary material, according
to the affidavit.
The affidavit alleges
that Hanssen compromised numerous human sources of
the U.S. Intelligence Community, dozens of classified
U.S. Government documents, including "Top Secret" and "codeword" documents,
and technical operations of extraordinary importance
and value. It also alleges that Hanssen compromised
FBI counterintelligence investigative techniques,
sources, methods and operations, and disclosed to
the KGB the FBI's secret investigation of Felix Bloch,
a foreign service officer, for espionage.
Freeh said that although
no formal damage assessment could be conducted before
the arrest without jeopardizing the investigation,
it is believed that the damage will be exceptionally
grave.
During the time of his
alleged illegal activities, Hanssen was assigned
to New York and Washington, D.C., where he held key
counterintelligence positions. As a result of his
assignments, Hanssen had direct and legitimate access
to voluminous information about sensitive programs
and operations. As the complaint alleges, Hanssen
effectively used his training, expertise and experience
as a counterintelligence Agent to avoid detection,
to include keeping his identity and place of employment
from his Russian handlers and avoiding all the customary "tradecraft" and
travel usually associated with espionage. The turning
point in this investigation came when the FBI was
able to secure original Russian documentation of
an American spy who appeared to the FBI to be Hanssen,
which subsequent investigation confirmed.
Freeh said the investigation
that led to the charges is a direct result of the
combined and continuing FBI/CIA effort ongoing for
many years to identify additional foreign penetrations
of the U.S. intelligence community. The investigation
of Hanssen was conducted by the FBI with direct assistance
from the CIA, Department of State and the Justice
Department, and represents an aggressive and creative
effort which led to this counterintelligence success.
Freeh said, "We appreciate the unhesitating
leadership and support of Attorney General John Ashcroft
from the moment he took office."
Freeh also expressed
his gratitude to Helen Fahey, United States Attorney
for the Eastern District of Virginia, Assistant United
States Attorney Randy Bellows, and senior Justice
Department officials Robert Mueller, Frances Fragos
Townsend, John Dion and Laura Ingersoll for their
contributions to the case.
United States Attorney
Fahey said, "In the past decade, it has been
our unfortunate duty to prosecute a number of espionage
cases -- Ames, Pitts, Nicholson, Squillacote, Kim,
Boone, and others. With each case, we hope it will
be the last. Today, however with the arrest of Robert
Hanssen, we begin again the process of bringing to
justice a U.S. Government official charged with the
most egregious violations of the public trust. The
full resources of the Department of Justice will
be devoted to ensuring that those persons who would
betray their country and the people of the United
States are prosecuted and severely punished."
"I want to express
my appreciation for the outstanding work done by
the National Security Division and the Washington
Field Office of the FBI in this investigation. Their
superlative work in this extraordinarily sensitive
and important investigation is testament to their
professionalism and dedication. We also express our
deep appreciation for the outstanding assistance
provided by the Internal Security Section of the
Criminal Division of the Department of Justice."
Freeh and CIA Director
George Tenet kept the Intelligence Committees of
Congress, because of the clear national security
and foreign policy implications, informed about the
case.
As a result of Hanssen's
actions, Freeh has ordered a comprehensive review
of information and personnel security programs in
the FBI. Former FBI Director and Director of Central
Intelligence William H. Webster will lead the review.
Webster, currently in private law practice, brings
a "unique experience and background in government
management and counterintelligence," Freeh said. "Moreover,
the respect he enjoys throughout the intelligence
community and elsewhere in government is second to
none. Judge Webster will have complete access and
whatever resources that are necessary to complete
the task and will report directly to Attorney General
Ashcroft and me. I will share his report with the
National Security Council and then Congress as well," Freeh
said.
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Statement of FBI Director Louis J.
Freeh On the Arrest of FBI Special Agent Robert Philip
Hanssen
For Immediate Release
February 20, 2001 |
Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office |
Sunday night the FBI
arrested Robert Philip Hanssen who has been charged
with committing espionage. Hanssen is a Special Agent
of the FBI with a long career in counterintelligence.
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. The
investigation of Hanssen was conducted by the FBI
in partnership with the CIA, the Department of State,
and, of course, the Justice Department.
The complaint alleges
that Hanssen conspired to and did commit espionage
for Russia and the former Soviet Union. 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 was arrested while
in the process of using a "dead drop" to
clandestinely provide numerous classified documents
to his Russian handler.
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.
In return, he received large sums of money and other
remuneration. The complaint alleges that he received
over $600,000.
The full extent of the
damage done is yet unknown because no accurate damage
assessment could be conducted without jeopardizing
the investigation. We believe it was exceptionally
grave.
The criminal conduct
alleged represents the most traitorous actions imaginable
against a country governed by the Rule of Law. 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. Their actions represent
counterintelligence at its very best and under the
most difficult and sensitive of circumstances. Literally,
Hanssen's colleagues and coworkers at the FBI conducted
this investigation and did so quietly, securely and
without hesitation. Much of what these men and women
did remains undisclosed but their success and that
of their CIA counterparts represents unparalleled
expertise and dedication to both principle and mission.
The complaint alleges
that Hanssen, using the code name "Ramon," engaged
in espionage by providing highly classified information
to the KGB and its successor agency, the SVR, using
encrypted communications, dead drops, and other clandestine
techniques. The information he is alleged to have
provided compromised numerous human sources, technical
operations, counterintelligence techniques, sources
and methods, and investigations, including the Felix
Bloch investigation.
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. Hanssen allegedly
began spying for the Soviets in 1985 when, in his
first letter to the KGB, he volunteered information
that compromised several sensitive techniques. He
also independently disclosed the identity of two
KGB officials who, first compromised by Aldrich Ames,
had been recruited by the U.S. Government to serve
as "agents in place" at the Soviet Embassy
in Washington. When these two KGB officials returned
to Moscow, they were tried and convicted on espionage
charges and executed.
Hanssen subsequently
was assigned to a variety of national security posts
that legitimately provided him access to classified
information relating to the former Soviet Union and
Russia. As a result of these assignments within the
FBI, Hanssen gained access to some of the most sensitive
and highly classified information in the United States
Government. To be very clear on this issue, at no
time was he authorized to communicate information
to agents of the KGB/SVR. Nor can there be any doubt
that he was keenly aware of the gravity of his traitorous
actions. 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."
Hanssen was detailed
to the Office of Foreign Missions at the Department
of State from 1995 to 2000. The complaint, however,
does not allege any compromises by him at the State
Department. 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. In this assignment,
however, Hanssen did continue to have access to sensitive
FBI information as he remained assigned to the FBI's
National Security Division and routinely dealt with
sensitive and classified matters.
For many years, the CIA
and FBI have been aggressively engaged in a sustained
analytical effort to identify foreign penetrations
of the Intelligence Community. That effort is complemented
by substantial FBI proactive investigation of foreign
service intelligence officers here and by the critical
work done by the CIA. 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.
As alleged in the complaint,
computer forensic analysis, substantial covert surveillance,
court authorized searches and other sensitive techniques
revealed that Hanssen has routinely accessed FBI
records and clandestinely provided those records
and other classified information to Russian intelligence
officers. As alleged, he did so using a variety of
sophisticated means of communication, encryption,
and dead drops.
Further, the complaint
alleges that Hanssen, using his training and experience
to protect himself from discovery by the FBI, never
met face-to-face with his Russian handlers, never
revealed to them his true identity or where he worked,
constantly checked FBI records for signs he and the
drop sites he was using were being investigated,
refused any foreign travel to meet with the Russians,
and even declined to accept any "trade craft." Hanssen
never displayed outward signs that he was receiving
large amounts of unexplained cash. He was, after
all, a trained counterintelligence specialist. For
these reasons, the FBI learned of his true identity
before the Russians; they are learning of it only
now. Even without knowing who he was or where he
worked, Hanssen's value to the Russians was clear
both by the substantial sums of money paid and the
prestigious awards given to their own agents for
Hanssen's operation.
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. None of the internal information
or personnel security measures in place alerted those
charged with internal security to his activities.
In short, the trusted insider betrayed his trust
without detection.
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. I have asked Judge William H. Webster,
and he has graciously agreed, to examine thoroughly
the internal security functions and procedures of
the FBI and recommend improvements. Judge Webster
is uniquely qualified as a former FBI Director, CIA
Director and Director of Central Intelligence to
undertake this review. This is particularly timely
as we move to the next generation of automation to
support the FBI's information infrastructure. Judge
Webster and anyone he selects to assist him will
have complete access and whatever resources are necessary
to complete this task. He will report directly to
the Attorney General and me and we will share his
report with the National Security Council and Congress.
I intend to act swiftly on his recommendations.
Before concluding, I
would like to take this opportunity to thank Director
of Central Intelligence George Tenet for the cooperation
and assistance of his agency in this investigation.
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.
Our joint efforts over the last several years and
specifically in this case should give pause to those
contemplating betrayal of the Nation's trust. Without
the current unprecedented level of trust and cooperation
between the CIA and FBI, making this case would not
have been possible. Nor would many other intelligence
and counterintelligence accomplishments that routinely
but quietly contribute to the security of this Nation.
Through Attorney General
John Ashcroft, I would like to thank the Department
of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the
Eastern District of Virginia. 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. We
particularly appreciate the unhesitating leadership
and support of Attorney General Ashcroft from the
moment he took office.
Director Tenet and I
have briefed the intelligence committees of Congress
because of the clear national security implications.
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. They have committed their lives to
public service and to upholding the high standards
of the FBI. Since becoming Director over seven years
ago, I have administered the FBI oath to each graduating
class of Special Agents at the FBI Academy. 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."
Regrettably, I stand
here today both saddened and outraged. 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. 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.
The crimes alleged are an affront not only to his
fellow FBI employees but to the American people,
not to mention the pain and suffering he has brought
upon his family. Our hearts go out to them. I take
solace and satisfaction, however, that the FBI succeeded
in this investigation. As an agency, we lived up
to our responsibility, regardless of how painful
it might be.
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Photographs
|
|
"ELLIS" Drop
Site
On the "Foxstone
Park" sign. |
"ELLIS" Drop
Site
Under a footbridge
over Wolftrap Creek near Creek Crossing Road at Foxstone
Park near Vienna, Virginia. |
|
"ELLIS" Drop
Site
Package dropped
by Hanssen at the Ellis drop site on 2/18/01. |
"ELLIS" Drop
Site
Under a footbridge
over Wolftrap Creek near Creek Crossing Road at Foxstone
Park near Vienna, Virginia. |
"LEWIS" Signal
Site
Wooden utility pole located at the North-West corner of the intersection
of 3rd Street and Carlin Springs Road near the metrobus stop.
|
|
|
"LEWIS" Drop
Site
The far-left corner of the
wooden podium (when facing the podium) located in the amphitheater
of Long Branch Nature Center. |
"LEWIS" Drop
Site
Package recovered at the Lewis drop site containing $50,000 cash left
by Russians for Hanssen. |
|
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