Aldrich Ames, a former CIA officer convicted in one of the most serious espionage cases in U.S. history, has passed away in a Maryland prison at the age of 84, according to the Bureau of Prisons.
Ames spent more than 30 years with the CIA and admitted to sharing classified information with the Soviet Union and Russia between 1985 and 1994 in exchange for money. His actions revealed the identities of intelligence sources and contributed to major security setbacks during the Cold War era.
He later pleaded guilty to espionage and tax evasion and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. In court, Ames expressed regret for his actions, acknowledging that financial problems influenced his decisions.
Ames’ case became one of the most widely known intelligence breaches of the time and prompted significant security reforms within U.S. intelligence agencies. His wife, Rosario, also pleaded guilty to assisting his activities and served a prison sentence.
