CIA turncoat Aldrich Ames dies in prison at 84 : NPR
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Key Points:
- Aldrich Ames, a former CIA officer who betrayed Western intelligence to the Soviet Union and Russia, has died in a Maryland prison at age 84.
- Ames compromised the identities of numerous spies and critical intelligence operations from 1985 until his arrest in 1994, causing severe damage to U.S. intelligence during the Cold War.
- He pleaded guilty to espionage and tax evasion, receiving a life sentence without parole, and admitted his motivation was financial troubles.
- Ames downplayed the impact of his actions, claiming his betrayal did not significantly harm U.S. security or benefit Moscow.
- His wife, Rosario Ames, also pleaded guilty to assisting his espionage activities and served a prison sentence.
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