Aldrich H. Ames, the highest ranking CIA employee ever caught spying, pleaded guilty Thursday to espionage and tax evasion conspiracy charges and was sentenced to life in prison. "I have betrayed a serious trust," he told the court.
Ames' wife, Rosario, pleaded guilty to related - but lesser - espionage conspiracy charges. She also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to evade taxes, but her sentencing was delayed until Aug. 26.U.S. Attorney Helen Fahey called it "the most damaging spy case in the history of the country."
Prosecutors said Ames, a 31-year CIA veteran who once was a senior counterintelligence officer, passed U.S. national security secrets to the Soviet Union and later Russia in exchange for more than $2 million.
While expressing regret for his actions, Ames, 52, said he did not believe he had "noticeably damaged" the United States or "noticeably aided" Moscow.
The government contended that at least four Soviet officials who were spying for the United States were betrayed by Ames and executed.
While Rosario Ames, 41, did not admit to passing any secrets, prosecutors disclosed a letter Ames wrote to his Soviet handlers stating: "My wife has accommodated herself to understanding what I am doing in a very supportive way."
The government said Rosario Ames made a series of large cash deposits at Washington-area banks after her husband had received payments from his Soviet handlers.
In a statement, Attorney General Janet Reno said Ames' guilty plea and cooperation will "assure the government of the information it needs to take whatever additional steps are necessary."
The Ameses signed an agreement with the government in advance of Thursday's hearing in which both consented to guilty pleas in lieu of trial. To obtain the pleas, prosecutors zeroed in on the couple's concern for the welfare of their 5-year-old son, Paul, who is living in Colombia with his mother's family.