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American Morning

Accused Spy Robert Hanssen Pleads Guilty

Aired July 06, 2001 - 11:06   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The nation's capital is also buzzing today with the case of accused FBI spy Robert Hanssen. This morning, he avoided a possible death sentence by pleading guilty to espionage charges.

Our justice correspondent Kelli Arena was in the courtroom as those proceedings took place in Alexandria, Virginia -- Kelli, hello again.

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, there, Daryn.

Robert Hanssen did plead guilty today to 15 charges of espionage and conspiracy as part of a deal with the government. In exchange he will receive a life sentence without the possibility for parole.

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UNIDENTIFIED GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL: Given the gravity of the betrayal and the strength of the government's case, the decision to forego the death penalty in this case was a difficult one. In reaching this decision, we determined that the interests of the United States would be best served by pursuing a course that would enable our government to fully assess the magnitude and scope of Hanssen's espionage activities, an objective we could not achieve if we sought and obtained the death penalty against him.

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ARENA: As part of the deal, Hanssen will be debriefed by the government over the next six months. If he cooperates and is truthful, he will be sentenced on January 11. Hanssen's lawyers explained his motivation for a deal.

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PLATO CACHERIS, HANSSEN ATTORNEY: He very much wanted to make amends. That's a big reason for this disposition today. And he wanted to tell his former agency what he had done and how he had done it, and that's matters of interest to them.

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ARENA: Hansen's wife Bonnie will receive survivor benefits, part of his government pension, as part of the deal. The government has also agreed not to confiscate the family home or any of the family's vehicles. The government says there's absolutely no evidence that Bonnie Hanssen had anything to do with her husband's espionage activities, which they say were motivated by greed.

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UNIDENTIFIED GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL: Today Hanssen has admitted the shocking truth, that, in fact, he swore false allegiance, that he betrayed his country, he betrayed his fellow Americans for no reason other than greed and that he caused irreparable damage to the national security of the United States.

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ARENA: Robert Hanssen left this courthouse here in northern Virginia looking rather gaunt, somewhat uncomfortable as he addressed the judge. He, as part of the deal he will also be held in Allenwood, the prison Allenwood in Pennsylvania. That's to allow his family easy access for visitation and that, of that course is the final note as we wrap up this plea agreement today -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Kelli Arena in Alexandria, Virginia, thank you. For an in depth look at the Hanssen spy case, you can log onto our web site at CNN.com, AOL keyword CNN. There's background on Robert Hanssen as well as a history of spy cases through the years.

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