CIA Veteran Admits Spying for Russia

Former CIA case officer Harold James Nicholson pleaded guilty to spying for the Russians and agreed to tell federal investigators what secrets he gave away and to turn over all his property to the government. Nicholson, 46, the highest-ranking CIA employee to be caught spying, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. But he could get as little as 22 to 27 years if the government recommends that he get credit for cooperating with the CIA and FBI, U.S. District Judge James C. Cacheris said during the proceedings in Alexandria, Va. Nicholson is scheduled to be sentenced June 5. In the plea agreement, which he signed, Nicholson said he gave the Russians a secret CIA report on Chechyna and the identities and duties of CIA case officers, including one assigned to Moscow.