Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen

CBS News

Amid the nuclear threat of the Cold War, America's prized secrets were falling into the hands of its sworn enemy. The FBI's hunt for the leak led to an astonishing discovery—the mole was one of its own, special agent Robert Hanssen. For two decades, Hanssen masqueraded as a devoted patriot while ruthlessly selling out his country, trading classified intelligence to the Soviet Union and later Russia, in exchange for cash and diamonds. He was a whirlwind of contradictions—a self-proclaimed patriot and a traitor; a family man who sexually betrayed his wife; an ardent man of God and a sinner. Through interviews with Hanssen’s family, friends, and colleagues, CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Major Garrett (Host of “The Takeout”) delves into the double life of Robert Hanssen and unravels the chilling truth about the most damaging spy in FBI history in “Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen”.

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Our Editor's Take

Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen is a podcast about secrecy and betrayal. This eight-part series reveals the true story of one of the most destructive spies in FBI history. Major Garrett, chief Washington correspondent for CBS News, is the podcast's host.

What was The Double Life of Robert Hanssen? To some, he was a suburban dad with a dog and six kids. Robert attended church on Sundays, and many saw him as a reliable citizen. He worked regular hours in a job for the government. Yet, there was also a secret side to Robert. He was a special agent for the FBI. Not only this, but for two decades, Robert sold classified secrets to Moscow. The FBI claimed Robert's actions caused millions of dollars in damage, as well as the deaths of three people. How could he appear a patriot while working as a traitor against the country he claimed to love?

Throughout the podcast series, Major interviews those who thought they knew Robert best. From victims to family members, each shares their thoughts on the conundrum that the man was. They question their relationship with someone they considered a friend and loved one. How far would he go to betray his country and those he loved?

Each episode guides listeners through the FBI investigation into their special agent. When the team knew they had a double agent amongst them, they set out to find out who it was. One podcast episode reveals how they spent two years following the wrong man and his family. Another tells the story of his secret affair with a dancer.

Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen reveals the true story of one of America's most notorious double agents. The series documents the tale of one man who betrayed everyone for personal gain.

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Play Trailer

Introducing - Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen

Introducing - Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen

Robert Hanssen was a conundrum - an FBI agent and self-proclaimed patriot who became the most damaging spy in the bureau's history. Amid the nuclear threat of the Cold War, America's prized secrets were falling into the hands of its sworn enemy—the Kremlin. The FBI's hunt for the leak led to an astonishing discovery—the mole was one of its own. In this 8-episode limited series, CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Major Garrett delves into the life of Robert Hanssen and unravels the chilling - and deadly - truth about his many contradictions. Listen to Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episodes

Introducing - Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen

Introducing - Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen

Robert Hanssen was a conundrum - an FBI agent and self-proclaimed patriot who became the most damaging spy in the bureau's history. Amid the nuclear threat of the Cold War, America's prized secrets were falling into the hands of its sworn enemy—the Kremlin. The FBI's hunt for the leak led to an astonishing discovery—the mole was one of its own. In this 8-episode limited series, CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Major Garrett delves into the life of Robert Hanssen and unravels the chilling - and deadly - truth about his many contradictions. Listen to Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Spy Next Door

The Spy Next Door

Robert Hanssen lived in suburbia with six kids and his wife Bonnie. They had a dog, a nice house and went to church on Sundays. Outwardly, it appeared to be an ordinary life. And for the most part, it was. Until Hanssen, an FBI special agent, turned and offered his services to the Soviets. Drop us a line: agentofbetrayal@cbsnews.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1985 was “The Year of the Spy.” The FBI arrested a raft of traitors spying for the USSR and other foreign governments. But that didn’t stop Robert Hanssen - or his KGB alias “Ramon Garcia.” Hanssen had developed an obsession with espionage and the result would be deadly. Drop us a line: agentofbetrayal@cbsnews.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Priscilla Sue Galey was a dancer at a strip club about a 15 minute walk from the White House. Robert Hanssen told her that he'd never seen such grace and beauty. He gave her sapphires and diamonds, a Mercedes, a trip around the world. But what did Hanssen want in return? Even more surprising than an FBI agent’s emotional affair with a dancer: the voyeurism in Hanssen's bedroom at home. Drop us a line: agentofbetrayal@cbsnews.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How did the FBI allow a spy to operate in its midst for more than 20 years and do such devastating damage? Robert Hanssen’s tradecraft was good, but far from perfect. In fact, the FBI missed several chances to nab him. Drop us a line: agentofbetrayal@cbsnews.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The intelligence community knew it had a mole problem. It couldn’t account for lost assets and blown operations. So the FBI and CIA set out on another mole hunt – and this time, there was one suspect who fit better than the rest. He was a career CIA officer who had been around important cases that went sideways. The FBI tailed him for two years and then squeezed him and his family for almost two more. Just one problem: he wasn’t the mole. Drop us a line: agentofbetrayal@cbsnews.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A Russian businessman arrived in New York in mid-2000, eager to export art to the United States. His counterpart in the deal, an American, appeared ready to do business, too. But neither man was exactly who they purported to be. Their encounter may have been just the break FBI mole hunters were looking for. Drop us a line: agentofbetrayal@cbsnews.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Once the FBI zeroed in on Robert Hanssen as a suspect, the bureau set up an elaborate sting operation to catch him in the act. A fake promotion, a bugged office, and a daring mission led to an opportunity to finally catch Hanssen red-handed. For 22 years, Hanssen had beaten the FBI at its own game. Now the FBI was ready to strike back. Drop us a line: agentofbetrayal@cbsnews.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On February 18, 2001, Robert Hanssen’s career as an FBI agent came to an end. His next tour of duty would be served in the federal penal system as inmate #48551-083. Supermax, the notorious Colorado prison housing terrorists and drug lords, would become his home for two decades. Life in prison also means death in prison. Drop us a line: agentofbetrayal@cbsnews.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.