![\"Aldrich](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/50ac19764c3e534b9c343e4e0a4c6b35.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\nAldrich Ames, the notorious CIA turncoat responsible for one of the most devastating intelligence breaches in US history, has died at the age of 84 in a Maryland prison.<\/p>\n
His death on Monday was confirmed by a spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons.<\/p>\n
Ames confessed to receiving $2.5 million (\u00a31.85m) from Moscow between 1985 and his 1994 arrest, in exchange for US secrets.<\/p>\n
His treachery involved revealing the identities of ten Russian officials and one East European agent working for the United States or Great Britain.<\/p>\n
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Aldrich Ames has died in prison in Maryland (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)<\/p>\n
These betrayals are widely attributed to the executions of Western agents operating behind the Iron Curtain and inflicted a significant blow to the CIA.<\/p>\n
He pleaded guilty without a trial to espionage and tax evasion and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Prosecutors said he deprived the United States of valuable intelligence material for years.<\/p>\n
He professed \u201cprofound shame and guilt\u201d for \u201cthis betrayal of trust, done for the basest motives,\u201d money to pay debts. But he downplayed the damage he caused, telling the court he did not believe he had \u201cnoticeably damaged\u201d the United States or \u201cnoticeably aided\u201d Moscow.<\/p>\n
“These spy wars are a sideshow which have had no real impact on our significant security interests over the years,” he told the court in a matter-of-fact tone.<\/p>\n