Thomas Patrick Cavanaugh
Encyclopedia
Thomas Patrick Cavanaugh is an aerospace engineer who was sentenced in 1985 after being convicted of trying to sell stealth bomber secrets to the Soviet Union
.
Cavanaugh was arrested at a hotel in Commerce
, California
, in December 1984, by FBI agents posing as Soviet spies. Cavanaugh, who worked at Northrop
, was debt-ridden, undergoing a divorce, and was "willing to take 25,000 American dollars in cash for technology that cost the United States billions to develop". He made it crystal clear to his handlers he wanted tremendous payments every time they had meetings.
For his attempted espionage, Cavanaugh was sentenced to life imprisonment
. While imprisoned he applied for and was granted parole
as his conviction occurred before 1987, when parole was abolished for federal cases. In 2001, Thomas Cavanaugh was released from prison.
Cavanaugh's case has often been a study in security. While the false flag
operation was occurring, the FBI agents impersonating Soviet intelligence officers had to go to great lengths because of tight security practices at Northrop Grumman, so as not to alert Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh claimed he could not make copies of classified documents as the copiers at his work were regulated by counters, which meant the "Russians" needed to bring a portable photocopier to their meeting point. When asked to smuggle papers away from work, Cavanaugh expressed concern about that as security guards would check workers, but he felt more confident in that as those checks were overt and infrequent. Cavanaugh may have said that, but employees were checked every time they left the building. Briefcases, backpacks, purses, etc. were searched. Another security practice undertaken was inspection of the safes of workers to ensure that all classified material was safeguarded and that they were in possession of only what they were authorized to work on. Cavanaugh was subject to one of these random checks on the same day he was scheduled to meet with his supposed Soviet handlers. The inspector later recalled that Cavanaugh seemed visibly nervous, but could not recall why as he had had an A-1 inspection and all was in proper order. The underlying lesson was that although Northrop's security was above average, it was not absolute. The FBI was able to stop Cavanaugh before he got to the Soviets, but a general sense of overconfidence in the Northrop administration and "no way it can happen here" attitude was a vulnerability Cavanaugh took advantage of.
Cavanaugh's motivation to commit espionage fit into the common causes. Greed and job dissatisfaction were the main factors. In a largely snap decision, Cavanaugh chose to sell secrets in an effort to retire his debts and to make big bucks at the same time. In a profile of the case, Cavanaugh "was no model citizen, but his behavior was also not so outlandish that it raised red flags with security."
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
.
Cavanaugh was arrested at a hotel in Commerce
Commerce, California
Commerce is a city located in southeast Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 12,823 at the 2010 census, up from 12,568 at the 2000 census. It is bordered by Vernon on the west, Los Angeles on the northwest, East Los Angeles on the north, Montebello on the east, Downey...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, in December 1984, by FBI agents posing as Soviet spies. Cavanaugh, who worked at Northrop
Northrop Corporation
Northrop Corporation was a leading United States aircraft manufacturer from its formation in 1939 until its merger with Grumman to form Northrop Grumman in 1994. The company is known for its development of the flying wing design, although only a few of these have entered service.-History:Jack...
, was debt-ridden, undergoing a divorce, and was "willing to take 25,000 American dollars in cash for technology that cost the United States billions to develop". He made it crystal clear to his handlers he wanted tremendous payments every time they had meetings.
For his attempted espionage, Cavanaugh was sentenced to life imprisonment
Life imprisonment
Life imprisonment is a sentence of imprisonment for a serious crime under which the convicted person is to remain in jail for the rest of his or her life...
. While imprisoned he applied for and was granted parole
Parole
Parole may have different meanings depending on the field and judiciary system. All of the meanings originated from the French parole . Following its use in late-resurrected Anglo-French chivalric practice, the term became associated with the release of prisoners based on prisoners giving their...
as his conviction occurred before 1987, when parole was abolished for federal cases. In 2001, Thomas Cavanaugh was released from prison.
Cavanaugh's case has often been a study in security. While the false flag
False flag
False flag operations are covert operations designed to deceive the public in such a way that the operations appear as though they are being carried out by other entities. The name is derived from the military concept of flying false colors; that is flying the flag of a country other than one's own...
operation was occurring, the FBI agents impersonating Soviet intelligence officers had to go to great lengths because of tight security practices at Northrop Grumman, so as not to alert Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh claimed he could not make copies of classified documents as the copiers at his work were regulated by counters, which meant the "Russians" needed to bring a portable photocopier to their meeting point. When asked to smuggle papers away from work, Cavanaugh expressed concern about that as security guards would check workers, but he felt more confident in that as those checks were overt and infrequent. Cavanaugh may have said that, but employees were checked every time they left the building. Briefcases, backpacks, purses, etc. were searched. Another security practice undertaken was inspection of the safes of workers to ensure that all classified material was safeguarded and that they were in possession of only what they were authorized to work on. Cavanaugh was subject to one of these random checks on the same day he was scheduled to meet with his supposed Soviet handlers. The inspector later recalled that Cavanaugh seemed visibly nervous, but could not recall why as he had had an A-1 inspection and all was in proper order. The underlying lesson was that although Northrop's security was above average, it was not absolute. The FBI was able to stop Cavanaugh before he got to the Soviets, but a general sense of overconfidence in the Northrop administration and "no way it can happen here" attitude was a vulnerability Cavanaugh took advantage of.
Cavanaugh's motivation to commit espionage fit into the common causes. Greed and job dissatisfaction were the main factors. In a largely snap decision, Cavanaugh chose to sell secrets in an effort to retire his debts and to make big bucks at the same time. In a profile of the case, Cavanaugh "was no model citizen, but his behavior was also not so outlandish that it raised red flags with security."