Robert Philip Hanssen, born April 18, 1944 to police officer Bob Hanssen, was one of the most damaging spies in United States history (Deep Inner Conflicts). Raised in Chicago, he would later attend Knox College where he received an AB degree in Chemistry. Next, in 1966, he would attend Northwestern University. Initially studying to become a dentist, he would decide to instead pursue a degree in Accounting and Information Systems. While in college, he would also take classes on the Russian language. Receiving his MBA in 1971, he was then hired by a Chicago accounting business. A year later, he would join the Chicago Police Department as a financial investigator in the Inspection Services Division. After four years at the Chicago police, Hanssen would join the FBI.
…show more content…
He requested another transfer to the intelligence division eight months later (Special Report, 2003). He would help establish an automated counter-intelligence database in the New York office. This database contained information on foreign officials and intelligence officers classified up to the secret level (Pluta, 2001). Beginning in November of 1979, only months after being assigned to the Soviet counter-intelligence post he had so badly wanted, Hanssen began spying. Hanssen first contacted the GRU, the Soviet military intelligence organization, who he worked for over the next eighteen months, receiving at least $21,000 in cash for his services (Special Report, 2003). Hanssen ceased contact with the GRU following his transfer to FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., though he claims he stopped after his wife discovered his activities (Pluta, 2001; Special Report, 2003). He remained inactive for the next four years during his time as a supervisory agent in the intelligence division. During this period, Hanssen was assigned to the Soviet Analytical Unit, as well as the budget
He requested another transfer to the intelligence division eight months later (Special Report, 2003). He would help establish an automated counter-intelligence database in the New York office. This database contained information on foreign officials and intelligence officers classified up to the secret level (Pluta, 2001). Beginning in November of 1979, only months after being assigned to the Soviet counter-intelligence post he had so badly wanted, Hanssen began spying. Hanssen first contacted the GRU, the Soviet military intelligence organization, who he worked for over the next eighteen months, receiving at least $21,000 in cash for his services (Special Report, 2003). Hanssen ceased contact with the GRU following his transfer to FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., though he claims he stopped after his wife discovered his activities (Pluta, 2001; Special Report, 2003). He remained inactive for the next four years during his time as a supervisory agent in the intelligence division. During this period, Hanssen was assigned to the Soviet Analytical Unit, as well as the budget