The Redefector: Joyride | Chapter 8 – Detailed Summary

Host: Julie Cohn
Release Date: May 7, 2025
Episode Title: Joyride | Chapter 8

1. Introduction

In Chapter 8 of "The Redefector," titled "Joyride," host Julie Cohn delves deeper into the complex web of espionage surrounding Vitaly Yurchenko's redefection and its unintended consequences within the CIA. This episode uncovers the intricate investigation that led to the exposure of Rick Ames, a high-ranking CIA officer turned mole, and examines the broader implications for American intelligence operations during the tumultuous period of the late Cold War.

2. The Fallout of Yurchenko's Redefection

Following Vitaly Yurchenko's redefection to Moscow, the CIA was thrust into chaos. Jean Verdefey and Paul Redmond spearheaded efforts to understand the sudden cessation of asset losses, which had plagued the agency since Yurchenko's initial defection in 1985. As Yurchenko was greeted as a hero upon his return, suspicions arose about his true intentions, igniting debates over whether he was a genuine defector or a sophisticated KGB plant.

Notable Quote:
Paul Redmond reflects on the impact of Yurchenko's departure:

"[27:00] Sandy Grimes: When I first learned about the Rick Ames twist on Yurchenko's story, I thought it immediately proved that Yurchenko had been the real deal. Doomed from the start."

3. Reassembling the Investigative Team

By 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Paul Redmond remained unconvinced that the CIA had eradicated the mole responsible for the 1985 asset losses. He was ousted from his position at Russia House by Milt Bearden and redirected to the Counterintelligence Center—a joint initiative between the FBI and CIA dedicated to counterintelligence cases.

Upon his arrival, Paul encountered Jean Verdefey, who had been tirelessly seeking answers for years. Their mutual frustration over stalled investigations led Paul to propose restarting the mole hunt with renewed vigor.

Notable Quote:
Paul Redmond on reinitiating the investigation:

"[07:17] Paul Redmond: And she and I talked about it and Jean said she was very upset. I said, well, I don't get this, you know, I probably turned the air blue. These fucking idiots. We're going to start it up again."

4. Forming an Elite Investigation Team

Paul and Jean assembled a specialized team comprising individuals deeply affected by the mole's actions. This included:

• Dan Payne: Vitaly Yurchenko's former bodyguard and a dedicated investigator unable to leave without uncovering the truth.
• Two FBI Agents Named Jim: Both connected to previous cases involving compromised assets.

Paul advocated for including Sandy Grimes, a seasoned CIA officer who had previously implemented critical security measures in 1986. Although Sandy's health prevented her from participating directly, her influence and prior experience were invaluable.

Notable Quote:
Paul Redmond on recruiting Sandy Grimes:

"[08:33] Paul Redmond: I mean, Sandy was one of. I knew her very well and she was one of the few people I trusted and was smart and was capable and knew the business."

5. Identifying the Suspect: Rick Ames

The investigation employed a strategic narrowing method. Each team member anonymously listed individuals from a pool of 160 suspects who made them uneasy—focused explicitly on identifying potential traitors rather than personal dislikes.

Sandy Grimes explained the rationale:

"[13:23] Dan Payne: What we did is we asked all four members of our team to list, no consultation here, list on a piece of paper, four or five or six if you wanted individuals who made them uneasy and whom they believed we should take a close look at first."

Through this process, Rick Ames emerged as the prime suspect, accumulating the highest number of unease votes.

Notable Quote:
Dan Payne on Rick Ames being the top suspect:

"[16:00] Dan Payne: Rick won the contest. He had the most points. 21."

6. Digging Deeper: Financial Discrepancies

Suspicion around Rick Ames intensified when his sudden improvement in lifestyle raised red flags. Dan Payne revisited Ames' financial records, uncovering that Rick had purchased a $540,000 home in Arlington with cash—a suspicious transaction given his previously modest means.

Despite initial denials and a flawed investigation by a hired Colombian investigator, discrepancies persisted. Further scrutiny revealed that Rosario, Rick's wife, could not have provided the necessary funds, contradicting Rick's claims.

Notable Quote:
Dan Payne on the financial revelations:

"[20:26] Paul Redmond: And. [20:26] Jean Verdefey: And she went on and on about, you know, what a slob Rick was... [25:13] Jean Verdefey: So the. The only thing I knew when he. When he came back was there. There was the. The. The money issue."

7. The Breakthrough: Surveillance and Evidence

Leveraging newly obtained financial data, Sandy Grimes integrated the information into a comprehensive timeline, revealing consistent large deposits linked to suspicious contacts. This led to the conviction that Rick Ames was a Soviet spy.

FBI surveillance tactics—renting a property near Ames' residence, installing car trackers, and tapping home phones—eventually uncovered incriminating evidence. A critical breakthrough was a shredded note, pieced together by the FBI, which detailed a dead drop location, confirming Ames' espionage activities.

Notable Quote:
Dan Payne on discovering Rick as a Soviet spy:

"[31:10] Dan Payne: I went into Redmond's office, shut the door, and I said, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell what's going on here. Rick is a goddamn Soviet spy."

8. Arrest and Confession

Rick Ames was swiftly apprehended by the FBI, employing over a hundred undercover agents to ensure a secure arrest without causing public alarm. Ames was confronted with undeniable evidence at a predetermined checkpoint near his home.

During his interrogation, Ames attempted to feign ignorance but ultimately confessed to his espionage activities. He admitted to passing CIA secrets to the Soviet Union for financial gain, driven by personal motives and financial desperation stemming from his impending divorce.

Notable Quote:
Rick Ames during his interview:

"[35:23] Paul Redmond: Well, the reasons that I, that I did what I did in April of 1985 were personal, banal, and amounted really to kind of greed and folly. Simple as that. I knew quite well when I gave the names of our agents in the Soviet Union that I was exposing them. I did the same thing for reasons that I considered sufficient to myself."

9. Analyzing the Connection to Vitaly Yurchenko

The episode explores the possibility that Yurchenko's redefection was orchestrated by the KGB to serve as a smokescreen for Rick Ames' treachery. This theory suggests that Yurchenko was a plant designed to distract the CIA, allowing Ames to operate with reduced scrutiny.

Key parallels between Yurchenko and Ames include:

• Both appeared disillusioned with their respective agencies.
• Shared personal hardships, such as broken marriages.
• Both held significant influence within their organizations.

However, significant differences highlight the complexity of their motivations and actions. While Yurchenko sought asylum and was genuine in his defection (or so it seemed), Ames exploited his position for personal gain, betraying thousands of trusted assets.

Notable Quote:
Sandy Grimes on the duality of Yurchenko and Ames:

"[36:05] Sandy Grimes: Did he do the same thing because Dmitri Polyakov gave up military intelligence to the CIA to avert World War three and wanted nothing in return? Meanwhile, Ames gave up Dmitry Polyakov to the Soviets to buy a new Jaguar. So it's not giving same thing to me. It's giving more like night and day opposites..."

10. The Legacy of Aldrich Ames

Rick Ames' betrayal had profound ramifications for the CIA, devastating its operational capabilities against the KGB. Prior to Ames' exposure, the CIA boasted unparalleled intelligence on Soviet operations. His espionage not only compromised 22 moles but also eroded the agency's trust and security protocols.

Notable Quote:
Jean Verdefey on the extent of Ames' betrayal:

"[39:44] Dan Payne: We had been so successful against the KGB and the GRU that it is not an exaggeration to state that we perhaps knew more about these two organizations than any single individual working in them."

Ames reportedly viewed himself as superior, driven by personal flaws and a desire to impress his wife. Despite his personal justifications, his actions rendered him one of the most notorious traitors in CIA history, serving a life sentence for his crimes.

Notable Quote:
Sandy Grimes on Ames' motivations:

"[36:05] Sandy Grimes: ...Maybe Ames had an inferiority complex related to his deadbeat dad or his own unglamorous path in the CIA. Maybe he had low self esteem after his divorce. Honestly, none of it justifies what he did."

11. Conclusion: Unraveling Yurchenko's True Fate

The episode concludes by pondering the unresolved questions surrounding Vitaly Yurchenko's ultimate fate. After his redefection, Yurchenko faded from the public eye, raising suspicions about his true role and current status. The intertwining stories of Yurchenko and Ames highlight the intricate and often perilous nature of espionage during the late Cold War era.

Notable Quote:
Sandy Grimes on the lingering mysteries:

"[53:36] Sandy Grimes: I was going crazy with all the back and forth. And I found myself over and over again just wanting to know more about what ultimately happened to Vitaly Archenko. After the parade following his redefection, he had barely resurfaced in American news. Had he died? And if so, when and how. And if he was alive, I wanted to find him. More on that next time."

Final Thoughts

"Joyride | Chapter 8" masterfully unpacks the intricate layers of espionage, trust, and betrayal within the CIA during a critical juncture in Cold War history. By dissecting the events surrounding Vitaly Yurchenko's redefection and Rick Ames' espionage, the episode offers a compelling narrative that underscores the fragility and complexity of intelligence operations.

For those intrigued by the labyrinthine world of spies and counterintelligence, this chapter serves as a poignant reminder of the high stakes and profound consequences inherent in the shadowy battles fought behind the scenes.

*Produced by:

• Julie Cohn (Host/Author)
• Jason Hoak (Executive Producer)
• Shane Freeman (Sound Engineer)
• Leo Culp (Additional Production Assistance)
• Robert Ellis (Music)*