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Former FBI Agent Caught Spying For Soviet Union, Russia Found Dead In US Prison

Former FBI Agent Caught Spying For Soviet Union, Russia Found Dead In US Prison
June 5, 2023

A former Federal Bureau of Investigation, agent Robert Philip Hanssen, who received payments of $1.4 million in cash and diamonds for the information he gave the Soviet Union and Russia, has died.

According to a release by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Hanssen, 79, was found unresponsive at the United States Penitentiary, USP, Florence ADMAX in Florence, Colorado, at about 6:55am on Monday, according to reports.

Hanssen had been in custody at Colorado's USP Florence ADMAX since July 17, 2002.

The release read, "On Monday, June 5, 2023, at approximately 6:55 am, inmate Robert Hanssen was found unresponsive at the United States Penitentiary (USP) Florence ADMAX in Florence, Colorado.

"Responding staff immediately initiated life-saving measures. Staff requested emergency medical services (EMS) and life-saving efforts continued."

"Mr. Hanssen was subsequently pronounced deceased by EMS personnel," the release said.

In 2001, Hanssen pleaded guilty to 15 counts of espionage and conspiracy in exchange for the government not seeking the death penalty.

Investigators had accused him of compromising dozens of Soviet personnel who were working for the United States, some of whom were executed.

He had shared details of several US technical operations such as eavesdropping, surveillance and interception of communications. And he gave the Soviets the US plans of how it would react to a Soviet nuclear attack, both in protecting top government officials and retaliating against such an attack.

"I apologise for my behavior," he said in court during his sentencing in 2002. "I am shamed by it. Beyond its illegality, I have torn the trust of so many. Worse, I have opened the door for calumny against my totally innocent wife and our children. I hurt them deeply. I have hurt so many deeply."

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