Lawyer: Chapman Would Have Preferred to Stay

The lawyer for admitted Russian agent Anna Chapman said she was "somewhat disappointed" by her deportation as part of a spy swap, but is not afraid to return to Russia.

On CBS' "The Early Show" this morning, attorney Robert Baum said that Chapman "would have preferred to stay in the United States. She started a business here, and the business was doing extremely well."

Chapman was one of 10 Russian agents arrested in the U.S., who yesterday who signed confessions that they'd traded in intelligence secrets to Western governments.

U.S.-Russia Spy Swap Complete in Vienna
Backgrounds of 4 Released by Russia in Spy Swap

Baum said Chapman understands why she was deported, though he described her actions as very different from the other individuals who were arrested.

"Anna never used any false names," Baum told "Early Show" anchor Erica Hill. "She never met with any individual of the Russian Federation. She never accepted money. She never did any transfers. In fact, the only time that she was ever asked to do anything - by an undercover FBI agent - she refused to do it."

Chapman does not, however, contend that she was falsely charged. "No, no. Anna pled guilty," said Baum. "What I'm saying is that she satisfied the minimum requirements for that guilty plea."

Since her arrest, Baum said, Chapman had no contact with the outside world, even as she became a recurring star of New York tabloids.

"She was in solitary confinement," Baum said, "restricted to a cell for 23 hours a day, only allowed out for an hour. No phone calls, no visits, except by me. No TV and no newspapers. The only time she knew of the coverage in the case was from me."

When asked what will happen to her once she arrives in Moscow, Baum said, "Her family's in Russia; she was born there. She's also a citizen of the United Kingdom and she lived there for many years. I think she will spend some time with her family and make a decision about whether she wants to stay there or move on.

"What's important to her is her professional life, her business. She's well-educated, and she's a very smart businesswoman."

Baum said Chapman did not fear repercussions once she returns to Russia, despite having been caught and pleading guilty.

"She was not afraid about going back home. She has no fear whatsoever."


More on Russian Spy Case:

Judge Orders Spy Defendants Deported
Who Are Russians in Spy Case?
Defendants' Signed Plea Agreements

[timincal]

I have always been confused as to what she did.

She was using her real name,living what seems to be a normal life with a business.

She never attempted to solicit anyone for secrets.

The only instance of suspicion was communicating to a Russian agent using her wireless laptop.

Unless they had more information than they are letting on.

It is sad because she was kinda hot.

[dprice123-2009]

She wanted to stay if she wasn't going to prison for the rest of her life.....There is more to this story than is being told....this all happened way too fast....

[stn_sage]

Yeah, she should have been allowed to stay here in America the rest of her live! In PRISON, without parole, for being the no-good spy she is!

[thumpr1019]

KabulsHere-0005: I mean really, do you stay up nights thinking of ways to bash Obama. Well, he's going to be President for the next two and half years (barring a major indiscretion), so get over it already!!!!!

[I_am_me1953]

"Chapman 'would have preferred to stay in the United States. She started a business here, and the business was doing extremely well.'"

I wonder, did she realize that if she was convicted she would lose her business.

[thumpr1019]

KabulsHere-0005: Why don't you go find an Obama-bashing website to flap your gums on instead of interrupting people who are trying to have a real discussion.

[dpattan]

I'm confused? If her attorney is accurate, what did the Feds. have on her to justify deportation?

[I_am_me1953]

KabulsHere-0005


Moron

[knowerseeker]

She should just be glad she wasn't shot or at least placed into hard labor for 5 years like that one American spy.

[newerdeal]

So she was profiled, set up, arrested then deported ?

And the feds think AZ law is messed up ?

[bluharley]

Well, too bad.