Posted on 06/29/2010 11:33:17 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
One hobnobbed with academics and entrepreneurs who shared his interest in cutting-edge science. Another spoke five languages, went to embassy parties and was fascinated by global politics. A third held herself out to be a venture capitalist and hit the networking circuit, looking for investment opportunities.
The 11 people arrested and accused of being members of a Russian spy ring operating under deep cover in America's suburbs appear to have been part of a slow and patient plan by Moscow to cultivate contacts in the U.S. who could yield vital competitive information not necessarily on weapons or U.S. strategic planning, but on finance, business and technology, intelligence experts say.
"This is a long-term investment by an intelligence service to lead those individuals there, give them general assignments and see what they can pick up," said John Slattery, a deputy assistant director of counterintelligence at the FBI who retired in 2008 and is now an executive with BAE Systems Intelligence and Security.
"Although they aren't trained intelligence professionals, they are available and on call for assignments such as: Can you go attend this meeting? Can you go attend this trade show? Can you contact this person? Could you maybe enroll in this university? And then elevate the access as they go."
Ten members of the alleged ring were arrested across the Northeast and charged Monday with failing to register as foreign agents, a crime that is less serious than espionage and carries up to five years in prison. Some also face money laundering charges. An 11th suspect was arrested in Cyprus, accused of passing money to the spies over several years.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Ping
Sounds like someone is trying to put lipstick on pig.
Maybe we could teach them the financial wizardry coming out of the White House these days. Feed them a little poison.
They are going to prison for a very long time.
5 years, max.
For espionage ,I believe the maximium is 15 years. But in a Federal prison(I believe) where you have to serve the entire sentence.
Apparantly they're only being charged with "failing to register as a foreign agent", which has a max of 5 years.
I am sure that the government is going to add more charges down the road which will increase their time in prison.The prosecution always add more charges.
You never know with Zero at the helm.
You are correct.
Some also face money laundering charges
Sure is a nice looking pig though.
Interesting timing. Movie released in July.
"http://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmananna"
And check out the Carmen Sandiego look with the hat.
Fashionista!
Founder of Domdot
Domdot.ru is search engine in real estate for Russian speaking audience.
So she helped Russians find homes. Looks like a lot of folks are gonna get knocks on their door.
If they were hanging around with "academia" they probably thought Amerika was very much like home.
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