Aldrich Ames – CIA Mole Exposed

Description

The Aldrich Ames Espionage Case: A Timeline and Cast

• Early Career: Aldrich Ames begins his career as an officer in the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, focusing on intelligence matters related to the Soviet Union. His position grants him access to the identities of Soviet sources recruited by U.S. intelligence agencies.
• 1980s: Aldrich Ames initiates his espionage activities, identifying at least 25 CIA “human assets” to the Soviet KGB. In return for this information, he receives $2.7 million. As a result of his betrayal, at least 10 of these assets are executed. His Russian code name is KOLOKOL (bell).
• December 1990: An internal CIA memo is generated describing Aldrich Ames’s unexplained wealth, signaling an early indication of suspicious financial activity.
• February 1994: A Committee letter is sent to the CIA Inspector General, formally requesting a review of the Ames case.
• 1994: Aldrich Ames is arrested along with his wife, Rosario Ames, who is implicated in assisting his espionage activities.
• 1994 (Post-Arrest): Aldrich Ames is convicted of one count of espionage and sentenced to life in prison.
• August 1994: Chairman DeConcini conducts an interview with Aldrich Ames.
• September 1994: A statement is issued by the CIA Inspector General concerning the Ames investigation.
• 1994: The “Assessment of the Aldrich H. Ames Espionage Case and its Implications for U.S. Intelligence” report is published by the Select Committee on Intelligence. This report provides a chronological summary of Ames’s career and espionage, conclusions, recommendations, and appendices including the December 1990 CIA memo, the February 1994 committee letter, the August 1994 DeConcini interview, and the September 1994 Inspector General statement.
• April 1997: “A Review of the FBI’s Performance in Uncovering the Espionage Activities of Aldrich Hazen Ames” report is released, assessing the FBI’s role in the case.
• 1999: The “Ames Tax Case” is heard by the United States Tax Court, addressing financial aspects related to Ames’s illicit gains.
• Ongoing (1994-2018): CIA files continue to be generated and compiled, covering Ames’s activities and their aftermath following his discovery.

Cast of Characters

• Aldrich Hazen Ames: A former officer of the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, tasked with intelligence relating to the Soviet Union. He became a Soviet spy, betraying at least 25 CIA assets to the KGB (with at least 10 executed) in exchange for $2.7 million. His Russian code name was KOLOKOL. He was arrested in 1994, convicted of espionage, and sentenced to life in prison.
• Rosario Ames: Aldrich Ames’s wife, who assisted him in his espionage activities. She was arrested alongside her husband in 1994.
• Chairman DeConcini: An individual who conducted an interview with Aldrich Ames in August 1994. Likely a prominent figure in the Select Committee on Intelligence, given the context of their report.
• CIA Inspector General: An official responsible for overseeing the integrity and efficiency of the CIA. This office was requested to review the Ames case in February 1994 and issued a statement on the investigation in September 1994