CIA turncoat Aldrich Ames, who sold U.S. secrets to the Soviets, dies in prison at 84

"Aldrich Ames, who betrayed Western intelligence assets to the Soviet Union and Russia in one of the most damaging intelligence breaches in U.S. history, has died in a Maryland prison. He was 84. A spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons confirmed Ames died Monday. Ames, a 31-year CIA veteran, admitted being paid $2.5 million by Moscow for U.S. secrets from 1985 until his arrest in 1994."

"His disclosures included the identities of 10 Russian officials and one Eastern European who were spying for the United States or Great Britain, along with spy satellite operations, eavesdropping and general spy procedures. His betrayals are blamed for the executions of Western agents working behind the Iron Curtain and were a major setback to the CIA during the Cold War. He pleaded guilty without a trial to espionage and tax evasion and was sentenced to life in prison without parole."

Aldrich Ames betrayed U.S. intelligence to the Soviet Union and Russia from 1985 until his 1994 arrest, accepting $2.5 million. He disclosed identities of 10 Russian officials and one Eastern European who spied for Western services, revealed spy satellite operations, eavesdropping methods, and general spy procedures. His disclosures are blamed for executions of Western agents behind the Iron Curtain and constituted a major Cold War setback for the CIA. He pleaded guilty to espionage and tax evasion, received life without parole, expressed shame and cited financial troubles as motive, and died in a Maryland prison at age 84.

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