Pearcey 1

Traitor: The Story of Robert Hanssen Desirae Pearcey American Government/ HIST 4020 CRN # 22643 Professor Moulton 14 January 2009 Honors Project Paper

Pearcey 2

Table of Contents Introduction..3 The Childhood and Development of Robert Hanssen.4 Hanssens Obsessions......8 The Betrayal...................10 Friends with the Enemy.13 The Clues and Hints...15 Conclusion.........................17

Pearcey 3

Introduction The world is not always as it appears. People are not always as they appear. Society is full of secrets and people can build their lives based on lies. Society and the country is a network of communications that interact for the benefit of the citizens that live within its borders. Some of these connections prove to be genuine while others ultimately harm societys safety and betray patriotism and morale. The society is much like a library. Each book is completely separate but is composed similarly. Each book has a specific plot, theme, and story line. Books have concepts and ideas that are meant to be read and understood. Some books deal with violence and suspense while others portray comedy or life lessons. People are library books within society. Each person has his or her own theme, plot, and story line in life. Some people are naturally enthusiastic while others are violent and ill natured. One book had a very elaborate and stunning cover, but the pages were ripped, torn, and very unlike the beautiful binding. This book fit on the library shelves very well and was rarely opened. This book was about Robert Hanssen and the plot was very different than other books.

Pearcey 4

The Childhood and Development of Robert Hanssen On April 18, 1944, Vivian Hanssen gave birth to her only child Robert Philip Hanssen. At the time of Roberts birth, Howard, Roberts father, was away on duty with the Navy. Howard had spent time as a cop in Chicago before joining the Navy and later returned to the Chicago police force. The small Hanssen family moved into a conservative two bedroom home in a well respected section of Chicago. Howards mother later moved in with the family (Havill). Howard was the strong silent type. He was very strict and looked down on Robert. Howard was involved in the Chicago Police organization known as the Red Unit. This organization dealt with political activity in communist groups. Many of these groups were involved in trying to overthrow the government and implement communism. Howard was very focused on uncovering politicians who had communist ties (Havill). Howard was not only verbally abusive but physically abusive toward his only child Robert. Howard was down right mean and hurtful toward Robert. The stereotypical father-son relationship was non existent between Robert and Howard. Howard constantly complained that his son Robert would be a failure in life and would amount to absolutely nothing. Robert wanted to make his father proud and follow in his foot steps. Howard disapproved and wanted Robert to pursue a medical degree. Howard spent much of his free time at horse races betting and gambling. Family vacations and trips were planned around horse races to appease Howard. Robert picked up these bad habits as he aged. Vivian rarely spoke out of place and followed in Howards shadow (Wise 10-11). As a child, Robert attended Norwood Park Grammar School and later finished his education at the Taft High School. Robert was a very shy boy through his education but was extremely intelligent. Robert compared to other adolescent males in some ways. He liked fast cars and looking at women but went on few dates. After completing high school, Robert received

Pearcey 5

a scholarship to Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. Robert majored in chemistry and math at Knox College and took Russian as his foreign language. Robert graduated from Knox College in 1966 with a bachelors degree in chemistry. Robert then applied to the highly secretive National Security Agency (NSA) as a cryptographer but was rejected due to budget cuts within the organization. The NSA is a cryptology intelligence agency for the United States government. The NSA is responsible for collecting and analyzing foreign communications and signals. Robert was very disappointed with his rejection and decided to further his education so he would not get drafted into the army. Instead of pursuing a medical degree like his father wanted him to, Robert studied dentistry for three years at Northwestern University. At Northwestern Robert met his future wife Bernadette Wauck, also known as Bonnie, a very dedicated Catholic from a large family (Wise 11-13). Bonnie and Robert dated for a little over a year before getting married on August 9, 1968. Robert discontinued his efforts in dentistry at Northwestern and pursued his accounting degree instead. Shortly after their marriage, Bonnie received numerous phone calls from other women concerning her new husband. Each pertained to cheating and sexual activities that were taking place between the women and Robert. Bonnie brushed off the accusations and continued with their everyday lives. Bonnie finally confronted Robert after the phone calls persisted and Robert admitted to some hugs and kisses. Bonnie kept every phone call in the back of her mind and became more observant toward her husband. She never questioned his authority or faith again but kept the accusations in mind (Wise 14-15). Robert was inevitably bound to join the Catholic Church, having married into a very prominent Catholic family. Before converting to Catholicism, Robert discussed the move with his very dear and supportive mother, Vivian. Vivian supported Roberts actions and believed that

Pearcey 6

the conversion would be beneficial to his marriage. Robert joined the Church and soon became a very dedicated and devout Catholic (Wise 15). In 1971, Robert graduated from Northwestern University with a Masters in Accounting. He worked a year in Chicago for an accounting firm and became a C.P.A. in 1973. Robert then pursued a career in law enforcement, following the foot steps of his father. Howards career was soon coming to an end as retirement moved closer. Robert joined the police force in October of 1972, three months after his father retired. Robert was automatically assigned to an intelligence division investigating police corruption. This was very unusual for a new rookie cop coming into a division. After three years of uneventful activities with the Chicago police department, Robert applied to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Robert was accepted and sworn in as a special agent on January 12, 1976, at the age of thirty one (Wise 15-18). Hanssen started out at the Indianapolis field office working on white collar crime with the F.B.I. In 1978, Hanssen was transferred to the New York field office as the Hanssen family continued to grow. Now with three children, Bonnie and Robert struggled with relocation. Hanssen worked as an accountant with the Bureau and was later transferred into the intelligence division. In the intelligence division, Hanssen was responsible for counterintelligence information including information dealing with intelligence officers and foreign officials. The documents Hanssen dealt with was of high importance and generally top secret due to the value of the information. Hanssen compiled a lot of documents about Soviet organizations that were of interest to the F.B.I. such as the GRU or the KGB (Glavnoye Razvedyvatelnoye Upravlenie and the Komitet Gosudarstvennoi Bezopasnosti). Both the GRU and the KGB were active Soviet spy organizations trying to get information pertaining to organizations, budgets, counter spies, and much more from the United States (Wise 19-20). Each organization had agents trying to get this

Pearcey 7

valuable information from the other organizations. Many times agents would work for one organization but were in fact betraying the agency by revealing valuable documents to others. An agent could be working for the KGB but secretly be giving information to the FBI for money. Hanssen was extremely involved in the F.B.I. and the intelligence information that the agency tried to protect. In short, Hanssen had direct access to very valuable and important information that could jeopardize many lives and the security of the nation.

Pearcey 8

Hanssens Obsessions Hanssens position in the F.B.I. was very respectable and honorable, unlike some of his actions. Even though Hanssen was a very devote Catholic he was also a sexual deviant. Hanssen and Jack Hoschouer, a close friend of Hanssens, both shared this obsession and would frequently slip away to various strip clubs (Wise 5). Hanssens appetite for pornography and nudity was unknown to his wife Bonnie, who was also a victim of his perversion. Hanssen once took nude pictures of his wife Bonnie and secretly sent them to Hoschouer when Hoschouer was stationed in Vietnam with the army. Hanssen was also an avid pornography surfer on the internet and frequently emailed Hoschouer pertaining to the contents of some websites. Hanssen hid a video camera and taped Bonnie and himself having sex without her knowledge multiple times. Hoschouer and Hanssen watched the homemade sex film in the confines of Hanssens family den for entertainment (Havill). Hanssens sexual obsessions continued throughout the years and at one point became very suspicious. Hanssen frequented a specific strip club and became fond of one of the strippers by the name of Priscilla Sue Galey. Hanssen left Galey a note after a performance commenting on her grace and beauty. Galey pursued Hanssen and thanked him for his kind message. Hanssen then gave Galey his business card and promised he would return. After Galey received Hanssens business card with the gold seal of the F.B.I., she asked Hanssen to find her father. Hanssen never found Galeys father but instead became a father figure for her. Hanssen bought her expensive jewelry, gave her excessive amounts of money, bought her a Mercedes, bought her a laptop, and gave her a credit card in his name. Hanssen also flew her to Hong Kong with him on a business trip, all expenses paid by him. Oddly enough, the relationship between them was completely nonsexual and Hanssen frequently spoke of his wife and family. Galey found it

Pearcey 9

unnerving that Hanssen did not want anything sexual from her and tried to seduce him before they left Hong Kong. Hanssen would not have sex with her but allowed her to perform other tasks. After returning from Hong Kong, Hanssen took Galey on a trip to visit Quantico, the FBI training academy in Virginia. Hanssen showed her around the academy and gave her access into the FBI headquarters. Over their last meal together Hanssen startled Galey with a comment that he made. Hanssen asked Galey if she would be attracted to him if he was not married. Galey, finding this strange, said that she would but was returning to family in Columbus. Galey returned to Columbus with Hanssens credit card but she soon regretted it. Her car was wrecked and she began getting involved in drugs. When Hanssen noticed certain charges on his credit card he drove to Columbus to retrieve the card. The encounter between the two old friends was very tense and stiff. The stiff meeting was the last time that Hanssen saw or talked to Galey (Wise 143-151). Bonnie never suspected Hanssen of anything and was unaware of Galeys existence in Hanssens life. Bonnie was not the only one left in the dark concerning Hanssens sexual habits; his colleagues were as well. Many times his colleagues would have parties for retiring agents at the strip clubs and would invite Hanssen. Hanssen would preach to his colleagues about how sinful and immoral those actions were and would never participate (Wise 145-146).

Pearcey 10

The Betrayal Robert Hanssen was arrested on February 18, 2001. Hanssen worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation for twenty five years, but had spied for the Russians for twenty-two of those years. The F.B.I. National Press office press release presented by the F.B.I. director Louis Freeh described Hanssens actions as "the most serious violations of law -- and threat to national security" (FBI). Freeh also made this statement concerning Hanssens betrayal: 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. (FBI) Hanssen had made his way up the Federal ladder and was a veteran counterintelligence agent. Hanssen used his training, experience, and expertise to remain undetected by his colleagues. During this time, Hanssen left over twenty packages of highly secret and important classified information for the Russians at various drop sites in the Washington area. At these drop sites, Hanssen accumulated more than $600,000 in cash and diamonds in exchange for these classified documents, with $800,000 more in a Moscow bank account. Hanssen gave the KGB over 6,000 pages of classified material and valuable information that he easily had access to (FBI). Hanssen was very technologically literate. He sent the Russians encrypted documents on disks containing information on federal organizations and programs (FBI). Hanssen sent over

Pearcey 11

twenty-six disks describing the F.B.I.s budget, secret reports, analysis of foreign intelligence, and names of double agents to the KGB (Davey). Hanssen was also able to hack into Ray Mislocks computer, the director of the Soviet section for the F.B.I. The system was supposed to be completely secure, but Hanssen hacked into Mislocks computer and retrieved information that Mislock was sending to the Director of his division. Hanssen ran into Mislocks room with a document in his hand and said, You didnt believe me that the system was insecure and handed Mislock his own document. Hanssen explained that he only hacked into the system to show the ease and insecurities that the system had. Mislock believed otherwise. Mislock believed Hanssen had hacked into the system for his own reasons. He went in to look and see if there was anything to indicate he was being watched. He had to come up with a story to explain why he was in the system in case there was some tracking software he didnt know about (Wise 161). Mislock believed that Hanssen knew the computer traces may lead back to him so he came forward and was the person who pointed to the vulnerability (Wise 161). Hanssen was not the first spy who betrayed his country and probably will not be the last. During Hanssens career, the F.B.I. designed many groups and divisions to try and locate moles who had been compromising valuable information. Hanssen took part in the development of many of these organizations and participated in the creation of a new classified national counterintelligence data base for the F.B.I. This data base contained information on hundreds of foreign officials and intelligence officers. Hanssen put together information on Soviet intelligence officers along with American officers (Wise 20). With this sort of access to information, Hanssen began informing the KGB on double agents and spies for the United States. The severity of Hanssens espionage can only be compared to one other spy in U.S. history and that was Aldrich Ames, who was a mole in the CIA. Loch Johnson, an intelligence

Pearcey 12

community expert at the University of Georgia, stated that "these two are the most devastating espionage cases in U.S. history (Davey). Hanssen, along with Aldrich, gave the identities of multiple Soviets who were spying for the U.S. By the end of Hanssens career, he had compromised an astonishing fifty human sources. These of these sources were arrested, detained, and, in some cases, executed by the Russians. Three sources were executed while others were imprisoned by the Soviets for their assistance to the United States (Wise 132). Two of the United States most important double agents, Valery Martynov and Sergei Motorin, were working in Moscow as moles when they were executed after being betrayed by Hanssen (Wise 4). Not only did Hanssen compromise many peoples lives, he also gave up very valuable and top secret information. One very important piece of information that Hanssen gave the Russians was pertaining to the tunnel that was built beneath the Soviet Embassy in Washington. This tunnel was used to spy on the Soviets and had multiple passages that were used to the advantage of the U.S. Hanssen also gave the Russians information on governmental plans, blue prints on a government bunker in case of a nuclear attack, F.B.I. double agents, and the investigation of Felix Bloch. Bloch was also assisting the Soviets by giving them information. When Hanssen warned the KGB that Bloch was under investigation, it gave the KGB time to call and warn Bloch that he was being watched and to avoid certain activities. Bloch was then able to avoid prosecution for espionage but did not flee the country (Davey).

Pearcey 13

Friends with the Enemy Hanssen had a very discreet and well planned out execution in delivering information and receiving money. Hanssen would place the documents in a black garbage bag and tape the bag into a nice sealed package. Hanssen would go to the drop sites and place the package in an inconspicuous place. He would then place a white stripe of adhesive tape on a pole or road sign near by signaling that the drop was ready. The Soviets would then retrieve the package and leave Hanssen a package of money or diamonds. Hanssen then returned to the drop site later that day to retrieve his package. Hanssen never met with the Soviets and always left notes with his packages. Hanssen wrote over twenty-seven letters to the Soviets and became rather friendly with them (Davey). To protect his security he called himself Ramon Garcia and seldom made verbal contact. The Soviets held Ramon in high regard. Many times Hanssen received thank you notes and letters from Viktor Cherkashin, the Soviet Embassys chief of counterintelligence. One of their letters to Robert is as follows: Youve managed to slow down the speed of Your running life to send us a message. And we appreciate it. We hope Your OK and Your family is fine too. We are sure Youre doing great at Your job. As before, well keep staying alert to respond to any call from You whenever You need it. We acknowledge receiving one disk through CHARLIE. One disk of mystery and intrigue. Thank you. Not much a business letter this time. Just formalities. We consider Site-9 cancelled. And we are sure You remember: our next contact is due at ELLIS. Frankly, we are looking forward to JUNE. Every new season brings new expectations. Enclosed in our todays package please find $10,000. Thank you for Your friendship and help. We attach some information requests. We hope Youll be

Pearcey 14

able to assist us on them. Take care and good luck. Sincerely, Your Friends. (Wise 136-137)

Pearcey 15

The Clues and Hints The F.B.I. had many clues and hints that could have led to the arrest of Hanssen much sooner. Hanssens brother-in-law, Mark Wauck, told F.B.I. officials that he was suspicious of the excess money Hanssen obtained and remarks Hanssen had made. Then in 1993, Moscow warned U.S. officials that there was an inside source in the F.B.I. that was offering secrets. Additionally, in 1997 Earl Pitts, who was also charged with espionage, told officials to look at and investigate Robert Hanssen. Hanssen believed he was in the clear after checking the F.B.I. database for his name or the word Foxstone, which was the park of his favorite drop site, three times in January. Hanssen did not know that he was under investigation at all times not only in his ninth floor office, but at home and everywhere he went. Hanssens telephone lines were tapped and a bug was installed in his car. The F.B.I. started investigating Hanssen after Moscow had alleged that there was an inside mole and Earl Pitts had suggested it was Hanssen (Wise 233). A former KGB agent in Moscow had gotten his hands on a file containing information on the mole inside the United States. The KGB man was willing to make a deal with the F.B.I. for the file. In the end, the government paid seven million for the file. The file contained almost all the information that the mole sent the KGB. It also had a black trash bag with a distinct set of finger prints: Robert Hanssens finger prints (Wise 219-233). Finally, on February 18, 2001, Hanssen made his last drop under a footbridge at Foxstone Park. On his way back to his car, he was arrested and taken in for debriefing on espionage. Hanssen later pleaded guilty to fifteen counts of espionage and conspiracy for passing classified information to the Soviet Union and also Russia due to the fall of the Soviet Union. Hanssen was sentenced to life in prison without the option of parole. Hanssens sentence was

Pearcey 16

used by U.S. attorney Paul McNulty to send a signal to other future or current traitors. "Robert Hanssen was trained to catch spies," McNulty said. "He was an expert at what it took to avoid being caught. And he was caught. And he was punished. And that's what will happen to anyone who betrays this country" (Ex-FBI).

Pearcey 17

Conclusion Robert Hanssen had a beautiful binding and cover, but the pages were torn and the plot very different. Hanssen was a trusted colleague, father, and a member in the Catholic Church but people can be deceiving. Hanssen was invisible to his colleagues and found satisfaction that he was capable of spying and not getting caught. Hanssen was responsible for passing a devastating amount of confidential and valuable information into the hands of those that could jeopardize our security. Hanssen betrayed his country and was known as the perfect spy. With his expertise, experience, and knowledge in his career, he was capable of spying for the Soviet Union, later Russia, for approximately twenty-two years without raising suspicions. Hanssen did the crime and is now serving the time for his years of espionage. In the end, this book was shelved, never to be opened again.

Pearcey 18

Works Cited Davey, Monica. SECRET PASSAGE- What led Robert Hanssen from an 'ordinary' boyhood in Norwood Park to the shadowy world of espionage and deadly betrayal? The Centre for Counterintelligence and Security Studies. 21 April 2002. 28 December 2008 <http://www .cicentre.com/Documents/DOC_Hanssen_Tribunemag.htm>. Ex-FBI Spy Hanssen sentenced to life, apologizes. CNN.com/LawCenter. 14 May 2002. 20 December 2008 <http://archives.cnn.com/2002/LAW/05/10/hanssen.sentenced/Index.Ht ml>. FBI History: Famous Cases- Robert Philip Hanssen Espionage Case. Federal Bureau of Invest igation. 20 February 2001. 21 December 2008 <http://www.fbi.gov/libref/historic/Fam cases/hanssen/hanssen.htm>. Havill, Adrian. Robert Philip Hanssen: The Spy Who Stayed Out in the Cold. Crime Library: Criminal Minds and Methods. 20 December 2008 <http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/ terrorists_spies/spies/hanssen/1.html>. Wise, David. The Inside Story of How the FBIs Robert Hanssen Betrayed America. New York: Random House Inc, 2002.