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A Traitor in the FBI: The Hunt for a Russian Mole
The true story of the undercover operation to unmask the KGB’s mole in the FBI.
In 1998, I was the undercover agent tasked to recruit a Russian who could unmask their spy in the FBI. Twenty-five years later, this story is still not known outside of the Bureau.
My mission was to befriend a former Soviet Embassy official at a film festival in Santa Monica and persuade him to betray the KGB’s mole. He was to return to Moscow in eight days, and our nation’s security hung in the balance.
No one knew what I was doing, not local colleagues or family, and there was no paper trail, fearing the traitor might learn of our plan. He had turned over nuclear secrets and the name of our penetrations in the KGB—who were executed.
I profiled my target’s affinity for strong women and crafted a bold plan, never attempted with a Russian. An authoritative and impressive female agent would have to make the overture.
FBI HQ critics hampered me, delaying and exacerbating near-impossible odds. There were more complications to get the Russian back to the US for a second film festival in Austin nine months later. Finally, the perfect female agent was found—who we hoped could entice Ivan into becoming a turncoat against his own nation.
After a grueling seven-year battle with the FBI Prepublication Review Unit, this story was finally approved to tell the public.
In 1998, I was the undercover agent tasked to recruit a Russian who could unmask their spy in the FBI. Twenty-five years later, this story is still not known outside of the Bureau.
My mission was to befriend a former Soviet Embassy official at a film festival in Santa Monica and persuade him to betray the KGB’s mole. He was to return to Moscow in eight days, and our nation’s security hung in the balance.
No one knew what I was doing, not local colleagues or family, and there was no paper trail, fearing the traitor might learn of our plan. He had turned over nuclear secrets and the name of our penetrations in the KGB—who were executed.
I profiled my target’s affinity for strong women and crafted a bold plan, never attempted with a Russian. An authoritative and impressive female agent would have to make the overture.
FBI HQ critics hampered me, delaying and exacerbating near-impossible odds. There were more complications to get the Russian back to the US for a second film festival in Austin nine months later. Finally, the perfect female agent was found—who we hoped could entice Ivan into becoming a turncoat against his own nation.
After a grueling seven-year battle with the FBI Prepublication Review Unit, this story was finally approved to tell the public.
304 pages, Paperback
Published April 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 5, 2026
This true story reads like a John Le Carre novel. Wayne and I are in the same private writer's group on Facebook, and all of us have moaned and groaned and cheered him on in his publishing journey. It was well worth the effort.
August 10, 2026
I found this book on a "New Book" shelf at the library, displayed with the cover facing out.
As a fan of Le Carre, of course I wanted to read this book.
I read it rapidly, caught up in the scheming, and enjoying the author's anecdotes.
The psychological drama is minimal but important. Although the author (and protagonist) is motivated by discovering what makes his target tick, that job does not require profound discussions on the human condition.
The lively writing takes you along with a master of chit-chat and disguise. In the background there is a sense of higher-ups in the FBI with intentions that may not align with those of the field agent. That theme of smokescreens and deception builds up unexpectedly in the final chapter.
The author gives an honest analysis of his field work, leaving us readers with the same gaps in knowledge that the case retains after all these years.
While the cover of the book shows the culmination of the drama, it doesn't represent the book's easy-going gregarious tone.
As a fan of Le Carre, of course I wanted to read this book.
I read it rapidly, caught up in the scheming, and enjoying the author's anecdotes.
The psychological drama is minimal but important. Although the author (and protagonist) is motivated by discovering what makes his target tick, that job does not require profound discussions on the human condition.
The lively writing takes you along with a master of chit-chat and disguise. In the background there is a sense of higher-ups in the FBI with intentions that may not align with those of the field agent. That theme of smokescreens and deception builds up unexpectedly in the final chapter.
The author gives an honest analysis of his field work, leaving us readers with the same gaps in knowledge that the case retains after all these years.
While the cover of the book shows the culmination of the drama, it doesn't represent the book's easy-going gregarious tone.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you ever wanted to know what it’s like to work a highly secret, super sensitive case in the FBI, this is the book. You’ll feel like you’re riding shotgun with Special Agent Wayne Barnes as he works his magic, sometimes to the aggravation of his supervisors, to get the job done. It’s a true case, so critical to national security that Agent Barnes’ supervisor and many others in the command chain had to be kept in the dark. It is interesting to note that it took the author, retired Agent Barnes, a grueling seven years to get approval from the FBI prepublication review unit through a process which typically takes less than 90 days! You can pre-order from Amazon on the link provided above.
May 20, 2026
I read this because the author is an acquaintance, and found it quite lively and interesting. I too very seriously devoted my life to my chosen profession, but that work was of little objective consequence compared to Wayne's. The thought of having no answers to those very important questions that remained after one's life's work would be insupportable to me, just as the military structure of doing what you're told and never questioning why.
This is an eminently readable dose of anerican/world history - a history that i lived through, but of which i was completely unaware.
This is an eminently readable dose of anerican/world history - a history that i lived through, but of which i was completely unaware.
June 6, 2026
I heard Agent Barnes speak about his book on a podcast and was immediately intrigued. He, as well as his fellow Agents and law enforcement family, are true American heroes. I thank you for your service and very much enjoyed reading about this case, as well as all of the additional details and explanations you included. The dedication of officers and Agents who give everything to keep us safe is truly heartwarming.
July 4, 2026
It’s towards the end of the book in which the author admits the Russian subject “DID NOT” identify Hanssen in the photo! What was the point in reading such a book only to discover it was entirely misleading and did not lead to the scumbag Hanssen’s arrest?! If the man was not the quisling Bob, then WHO was he?! How has he not been identified if a former G-Man, as the lineup indicated? Score one against the reader.
May 20, 2026
Did not hold my attention very long
July 21, 2026
There were a few good parts, but I just couldn't get into it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews