Tim Foley was among the children most extensively groomed for a future spy career, officials say. Though he wasn’t American-born, his parents lived in the U.S. for more than a decade, under the assumed names Donald Heathfield and Tracey Foley. Mr. Foley was 20 when his parents were arrested and had just finished his sophomore year at George Washington University in the nation’s capital.
His parents revealed their double life to him well before their arrest, according to current and former officials, whose knowledge of the discussion was based on surveillance by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that included bugging suspects’ homes. The officials said the parents also told their son they wanted him to follow in their footsteps.
He agreed, said the officials. At the end of the discussion with his parents, according to one person familiar with the surveillance, the young man stood up and saluted “Mother Russia.” He also agreed to travel to Russia to begin formal espionage training, officials said.
Did I teach this guy how to be even more American in an Intro American Novel seminar? Was I an unwitting tool in the hands of Russian intelligence?
July 26th, 2012 at 12:56PM
Obviously, you are a fellow-traveler. Watch out for the black helicopters following you. Have you paid your dues to the UJC?
July 28th, 2012 at 12:41PM
As a devoted reader of John Le Carre’s espionage fiction, I’m jealous.