A psychology professor at Florida International University, five years in prison for conspiracy to become an unregistered foreign agent. His wife who also worked at the university, faces up to three years in prison for concealing her husband's participation in that conspiracy. The two are scheduled to be sentenced February 27.
A Florida professor admitted yesterday that was a Cuban spy for nearly 30 years, and his wife -- also a professor admitted she knew all about it. However, prosecutors accepted plea barganing from both Carlos Alvarez and his wife Elsa as part of a deal to drop the charge of being Cuban agents who'd failed to register with the U.S. government, a more serious offense that could have put the couple in prison for a decade.
Alvarez acknowledged Tuesday he had worked as a Cuban covert intelligence agent on behalf of the revolutionary government of Cuba for nearly three decades. Alvarez said he had gathered and transmitted information to Cuban intelligence agents about the operations of Cuban exiles running US supported terrorist groups in Florida and Miami.
When arrested prosecutors said the FBI had covertly monitored Alvarez' communications with the Cuban Intelligence Service, eavesdropping even while Alvarez received sophisticated communications equipment from Cuban intelligence designed to keep his activities secret.
"This investigation unmasked a Cuban intelligence agent who served for many years as an educator, all the while spying on South Florida's Cuban exile community for his Cuban handlers," said United States Attorney in Miami. In Washington, Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Wainstein said the case "demonstrates our firm commitment to protect our country and our citizens against the agents of foreign powers."
Alvarez acknowledged Tuesday he had worked as a Cuban covert intelligence agent on behalf of the revolutionary government of Cuba for nearly three decades. Alvarez said he had gathered and transmitted information to Cuban intelligence agents about the operations of Cuban exiles running US supported terrorist groups in Florida and Miami.
When arrested prosecutors said the FBI had covertly monitored Alvarez' communications with the Cuban Intelligence Service, eavesdropping even while Alvarez received sophisticated communications equipment from Cuban intelligence designed to keep his activities secret.
"This investigation unmasked a Cuban intelligence agent who served for many years as an educator, all the while spying on South Florida's Cuban exile community for his Cuban handlers," said United States Attorney in Miami. In Washington, Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Wainstein said the case "demonstrates our firm commitment to protect our country and our citizens against the agents of foreign powers."
