Posted on December 20, 2006

Florida Professor Admits He Was Cuban Spy

cnn, Dec. 19, 2006

A Florida professor admitted Tuesday he had been a Cuban spy for nearly 30 years, and his wife — also a professor — admitted she knew of his conduct, authorities said.

Both Carlos Alvarez and his wife Elsa pleaded guilty to lesser charges in federal court in Miami.

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A psychology professor at Florida International University, Alvarez faces up to five years in prison for conspiracy to become an unregistered foreign agent.

Elsa Alvarez, 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.

When arrested in January, federal prosecutors said the FBI had covertly monitored Alvarez’ ongoing communications with the Cuban Intelligence Service.

Authorities said U.S. agents eavesdropped as Alvarez received sophisticated communications equipment from Cuban intelligence designed to keep his activities secret.

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Alvarez said he had gathered and transmitted information about Cuban exile groups to Cuban intelligence agents.

The FBI said Alvarez continued his criminal conduct until June 22, 2005, when he admitted his activities to U.S. counterintelligence agents.

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