SCHOOL THESIS

5. Financial Concerns
When interviewed, Walker stated, “I became a spy because I needed the
money.” 325 He eventually asked the Russians to consider giving him a $1 million
payment in return for a steady supply of documents during the next 10 years. 326 Upon his
initial approach to the Russian embassy, the Russian intelligence officer asked if Walker
came for political or financial reasons,” and Walker responded, “Purely financial. I need
the money.” 327
Walker’s desire to live a lavish lifestyle overrode his responsibility to protect
national security information. His greed and ego overruled caution even moments before
his arrest. Rather than destroy instructions on where to drop a package of information and
receive a $200,000 payment, Walker was apprehended with the instructions. 328
6. Childhood Upbringing
Walker had a troubled upbringing. His life was greatly altered after his father was
in a serious car accident and no longer able to adequately support his family. His father
was a severe alcoholic who physically abused his wife and children to the point where
Walker plotted to kill his father to end the family’s suffering. His best friend described
Walker’s mother as “cold and distant and [Walker] complained that she hadn’t spent
much time with him as a boy.”
As a teen, Walker became involved in petty burglaries and robberies. He joined
the Navy as an option instead of going to prison for one robbery. The failures of his
father and the lack of attention from his mother had a serious effect on Walker. He was
determined to provide for his family (wife and children) 329 and was insistent he was not
going to end up destitute like his father. 330
325 Ibid., 17.
326 Ibid., 11.
327 Ibid., 76
328 Ibid., 7.
329 Ibid. 139.
330 Ibid., 67.
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