SCHOOL THESIS

contact procedures with his Russian associates whenever he felt that he
was close to being caught; he was even able to search for his own name
within the FBI internal database to monitor whether he was the subject of
any investigation. 305
In his book Spy, Wise notes, “Third, Hanssen knew how to avoid movement within the
FBI bureaucracy that would have subjected him to polygraph examinations.” 306
5. Financial Concerns
Hanssen had financial motivators for selling secrets, although he continued to live
within his means. He had a large family to provide for. In November 1985, Hanssen
engaged Russian intelligence officers and volunteered to provide information “for
money, a few diamonds for his children and good will.” 307 Overall, Hanssen received
more than half a million dollars in cash and $50,000 in diamonds. He was also told that
$800,000 waited for him in a Russian bank account. It appears he harbored a fantasy of
retiring from the FBI and teaching college courses in Moscow. 308 However, Hanssen
recognized the difficulty of sudden affluence, writing on his Russian contact on March 3,
1986:
As far as more funds are concerned, I have little need or utility for more
than the $100,000. It merely provides a difficulty since I cannot spend it,
store it or invest it easily without (tripping the FBI’s) “drug money”
warning bells. Perhaps some diamonds as security to my children and
some good will so that when the time comes, you will accept (my) senior
services as a guest lecturer. Eventually, I would appreciate an escape plan.
Nothing lasts forever. 309
6. Childhood Upbringing
Hanssen’s father was a harsh disciplinarian and verbally and physically abusive.
He continuously berated Hanssen, telling him he would never amount to anything. While
his father hoped Hanssen would become a doctor, Hanssen dropped out of dental school
305 U.S. Department of Justice, A Review of the FBI’s Performance.
306 Wise, Spy: The Inside Story, 177.
307 Willing, and Watson, “FBI Portrays Robert Hanssen’s Double Life,” A.1.
308 Ibid.
309 Ibid.
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