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CNN Saturday Morning News

Hanssen May Have Spied Longer Than Previously Thought

Aired June 16, 2001 - 09:09   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.
BRIAN NELSON, CNN ANCHOR: Well, some new information is surfacing that indicates that accused spy Robert Hanssen began his espionage activities sooner than first thought.

CNN Justice Department correspondent Kelli Arena has our report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A source close to the family of accused spy Robert Hanssen tells CNN, quote, "Robert Hanssen confessed to his wife that he was spying in 1979." That's six years before the government alleges he started his espionage activities.

First reported on CBS News, the revelation suggests the damage allegedly caused by Hanssen could be even greater than the government outlined in its 100-page affidavit.

The source, who was in touch with the family, says Hanssen's wife, Bonnie, told the FBI about the confession when she was debriefed after her husband's arrest earlier this year. FBI officials would not comment.

According to this source, Hanssen allegedly stopped spying for six years, then resumed in 1985 without his wife's knowledge.

But according to CBS, psychiatrist Alan Salerian (ph) said Hanssen confessed his subsequent spying activities to Roman Catholic priests. Salerian was hired by Hanssen's lawyers to perform an evaluation on the accused spy. He could not be reached for comment.

One of Hanssen's lawyers, Plato Cecheris (ph), speaking to CNN, refused to confirm or deny the substance of the report. However, Cecheris told CNN that, quote, "Salerian has been fired." Cecheris went on to say, "Salerian was instructed in writing that he was not privileged to discuss any confidentialities he may have heard from Hanssen or his family."

Cecheris also tells CNN, "Legal action against Salerian is a possibility."

(on camera): Intelligence sources have said all along that Bonnie Hanssen did not know about her husband's alleged spying activities, and no charges have been brought against her. Robert Hanssen has pleaded not guilty to all 21 espionage charges against him.

Kelli Arena, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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