Luke LaManna

But he was one of the lucky ones. At least he hadn't been executed like the other ten Ames had ratted on. So, we know why Rick did what he did. Simple greed. But the question remains, how was he able to pull it off right under the CIA's nose? He was loose-lipped, an erratic drinker, and a compulsive spender. He was sloppy and overconfident. But then again, so was the CIA.

Even before he sided with the KGB, Rick should have never been entrusted with his high-level jobs. His behavior in Mexico was a big red flag. He went on benders, got into car crashes, and fought with other diplomats. He badmouthed U.S. policy to both Russian operatives and fellow agents. That led to bad reviews from local bosses, but they were never properly reported to officials at the D.C.

Even before he sided with the KGB, Rick should have never been entrusted with his high-level jobs. His behavior in Mexico was a big red flag. He went on benders, got into car crashes, and fought with other diplomats. He badmouthed U.S. policy to both Russian operatives and fellow agents. That led to bad reviews from local bosses, but they were never properly reported to officials at the D.C.

CIA office. When Rick moved to D.C., the old friend who got him a CIA job never bothered reading those reviews, so he gave him a major promotion and unwittingly let the KGB into the CIA. As for overconfidence, the CIA seemed to assume that all their agents were patriots who were fueled by faith in a noble mission.

CIA office. When Rick moved to D.C., the old friend who got him a CIA job never bothered reading those reviews, so he gave him a major promotion and unwittingly let the KGB into the CIA. As for overconfidence, the CIA seemed to assume that all their agents were patriots who were fueled by faith in a noble mission.

So they routinely placed people like Rick in contact with KGB officers who appealed to human desires much stronger than patriotism. Like the need for power, influence, and of course, money. Rick Ames was a deeply flawed man who flourished in a flawed system. The CIA spent so much time looking out into the world for enemies that they forgot to look within.

So they routinely placed people like Rick in contact with KGB officers who appealed to human desires much stronger than patriotism. Like the need for power, influence, and of course, money. Rick Ames was a deeply flawed man who flourished in a flawed system. The CIA spent so much time looking out into the world for enemies that they forgot to look within.

Thanks to that, Rick Ames became one of the worst traitors in American history. Follow Redacted, Declassified Mysteries on the Wondery app, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to every episode of Redacted early and ad-free right now by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts.

Thanks to that, Rick Ames became one of the worst traitors in American history. Follow Redacted, Declassified Mysteries on the Wondery app, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to every episode of Redacted early and ad-free right now by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts.

Before you go, tell us about yourself by completing a short survey at wondery.com slash survey. From Ballant Studios and Wondery, this is Redacted Declassified Mysteries, hosted by me, Luke LaManna. A quick note about our stories. We do a lot of research, but some details and scenes are dramatized.

Before you go, tell us about yourself by completing a short survey at wondery.com slash survey. From Ballant Studios and Wondery, this is Redacted Declassified Mysteries, hosted by me, Luke LaManna. A quick note about our stories. We do a lot of research, but some details and scenes are dramatized.

We used many different sources for our show, but we especially recommend Nightmover, How Aldrich Ames Sold the CIA to the KGB for $4.6 Million by David Wise. and How the FBI Finally Caught Aldrich Ames by David Johnston for The New York Times, and The Terrible Secret of Rosario Ames by Sally Quinn for The Washington Post. This episode was written by Amin Osman, sound design by Ryan Potesta.

We used many different sources for our show, but we especially recommend Nightmover, How Aldrich Ames Sold the CIA to the KGB for $4.6 Million by David Wise. and How the FBI Finally Caught Aldrich Ames by David Johnston for The New York Times, and The Terrible Secret of Rosario Ames by Sally Quinn for The Washington Post. This episode was written by Amin Osman, sound design by Ryan Potesta.

Our producer is Christopher B. Dunn. Our associate producers and researchers are Sarah Vytak, Teja Palakanda, and Rafa Faria. Fact-checking by Sheila Patterson. For Ballin Studios, our head of production is Zach Levitt. Script editing by Scott Allen. Our coordinating producer is Samantha Collins. Production support by Avery Siegel. Produced by me, Luke LaManna.

Our producer is Christopher B. Dunn. Our associate producers and researchers are Sarah Vytak, Teja Palakanda, and Rafa Faria. Fact-checking by Sheila Patterson. For Ballin Studios, our head of production is Zach Levitt. Script editing by Scott Allen. Our coordinating producer is Samantha Collins. Production support by Avery Siegel. Produced by me, Luke LaManna.

Executive producers are Mr. Ballin and Nick Witters. For Wondery, our head of sound is Marcelino Villapando. Senior producers are Loredana Palavoda, Dave Schilling, and Rachel Engelman. Senior managing producer is Nick Ryan. Managing producer is Olivia Fonte. Our executive producers are Aaron O'Flaherty and Marshall Louis. For Wondery.

Executive producers are Mr. Ballin and Nick Witters. For Wondery, our head of sound is Marcelino Villapando. Senior producers are Loredana Palavoda, Dave Schilling, and Rachel Engelman. Senior managing producer is Nick Ryan. Managing producer is Olivia Fonte. Our executive producers are Aaron O'Flaherty and Marshall Louis. For Wondery.

Behind the closed doors of government offices and military compounds, there are hidden stories and buried secrets from the darkest corners of history. From covert experiments pushing the boundaries of science, to operations so secretive they were barely whispered about.

Behind the closed doors of government offices and military compounds, there are hidden stories and buried secrets from the darkest corners of history. From covert experiments pushing the boundaries of science, to operations so secretive they were barely whispered about.

Behind the closed doors of government offices and military compounds, there are hidden stories and buried secrets from the darkest corners of history. From covert experiments pushing the boundaries of science, to operations so secretive they were barely whispered about.