The Most Dangerous Spy in CIA History

Quick Overview

Aldrich Ames, who became the highest-ranking Soviet mole in CIA history, was ultimately caught in 1994 after years of espionage that cost the lives of at least 12 agents and resulted in him earning approximately $2.5 million, which he spent on a lavish lifestyle that included a $1.4 million house and a Jaguar E-Type.

Key Points: Aldrich Ames, born in River Falls, Wisconsin in 1941, joined the CIA in 1962 and became the highest-ranking Soviet mole in agency history by 1978. Ames was paid approximately $2.5 million by the Soviets and Russians for his espionage, which led to the deaths of at least 12 U.S. agents. Ames financed a lavish lifestyle, including a $1.4 million house and a Jaguar E-Type, which raised suspicion among FBI investigators. Ames admitted on a polygraph to committing crimes related to alcohol abuse, but denied having a drinking problem during counseling. The CIA and FBI discovered Ames's treachery after investigating his financial records and movements, leading to his arrest on February 21, 1994, after an envelope with a 'TOP SECRET' mark was found in a dead drop mailbox. A joint CIA/FBI task force was formed to investigate Soviet assets, leading to the identification of several compromised sources that Ames was handling. The failure to protect U.S. assets and the scale of Ames's treason exposed a serious weakness in the human intelligence apparatus during the late Cold War.

Context: The video details the story of Aldrich Ames, a CIA officer who became one of the most damaging spies in U.S. history by working for the Soviet Union and later Russia. Ames joined the CIA in 1962 after graduating college and married a woman named Rosario Casas-Dupuy, who also worked for the CIA. He was promoted to Director of Operations in 1978 and began providing highly classified information to the KGB, often using dead drops and relying on his wife's knowledge to avoid detection, leading to severe compromises of U.S. intelligence operations.

Detailed Analysis