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CNN Live At Daybreak

Accused FBI Spy Robert Hanssen Expected to Cut a Deal Today

Aired July 06, 2001 - 08:17   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
COLLEEN MCEDWARDS, CNN ANCHOR: Thank you, Jennifer.

In Washington, accused spy Robert Hanssen has cut a deal with the government that will spare his life.

CNN's Kelli Arena is at the U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia and joins us now with more -- Kelli.

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Colleen.

Well, accused spy Robert Hanssen is expected to show up here at court in about 45 minutes. He is coming to change his plea. The last we saw Hanssen, in May, he plead not guilty to the charges against him. But after striking a deal with the government, he is expected to reverse that.

Sources tell CNN that instead of facing the death penalty, Hanssen will plead guilty to the 21 charges of espionage and conspiracy against him in exchange for life in prison without the possibility for parole.

The sources say that Hanssen has also agreed to be debriefed by both the FBI and the CIA. Both those agencies are eager to accurately access the alleged damage that Hanssen has caused.

What's more, sources tell CNN that Hanssen's wife, Bonnie, will be able to receive some benefits under Hanssen's pension as part of this deal. Sources say that she has fully cooperated with the investigation since Hanssen's arrest.

Now, as I mentioned earlier, we are expecting things to get going in about 45 minutes from now. Hanssen has been held at an undisclosed location since his arrest in February.

Kelli Arena, live at the federal courthouse in Northern Virginia.

MCEDWARDS: Thank you, Kelli.

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