I’m Sandy Grimes, a former CIA agent who helped uncover one of the most dangerous moles inside the CIA during the Cold War. Ask me anything!

Which mainstream movie gets closest to depicting accurately what it's like working in the CIA?

While not a mainstream movie, the old PBS series "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" comes the closest to what it was like working in the CIA.

How ideologically driven was Ames and other defectors? Was it finacial or did they really have loyalty to the USSR?

Secondly, did you ever meet Oleg Gordievsky and what was he like?

He was not ideologically driven--it was financial.

And no, I did not meet Oleg.

How did you become CIA agent ?

I needed a job as I was graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in Russian. CIA appeared to be the only possible employer!

were paying enough ? And you knew you are going to be spy ?

When I was recruited, I had no idea where I was going to be assigned at CIA headquarters.

Did you ever get to play with cool spying toys? Like pens that were mini cameras and the like? Do you have any favorites?

Yes! But it was so many years ago that they're probably in museums now. There was the plastic purse with a camera--a fashion faux pas!

Did your book have to be cleared by many higher ups before it could be published, if so was there things they made you change, or wouldn't let you include?

Why not answer any questions about snowden?

Yes, our book had to be cleared by CIA's publications review board. It was a difficult process, which took a little over 3 years. Over 90% of our original material appears in the book. What was deleted, we considered of insignificance.

Any confidential secrets that you would like to share with me? I promise to remain silent :)

Yes, but I'd have to kill you! :)

What do you believe is a common misconception about your former job?

That it's always exciting! While there is a great deal of excitement, there are many days of tedium.

The GMA story said twenty names were given to the KGB, did any of our assets that were not executed make it out?

Yes, some who were not executed did make it out after serving long prison terms.

How paranoid are some spooks?

Good spooks are not paranoid. They're thoughtful, thorough, and well-prepared. Paranoia will only get you into trouble!

Was there any pressure to keep this quiet? To deal with it internally, so to say?

Absolutely not. We wanted our traitor to face justice.

On which continent has the CIA most successfully advanced US interests since 2000? (Antarctica?)

I left the CIA in 1994 after Ames' arrest and have no knowledge of CIA activities except what appears in the press.

What's the average age of moles in cia or other branches when recruited or hired on? Are moles always foreigners? Are they brainwashed to do this?

1) There's no average age when somebody decides to commit treason. However, often it will occur in mid-life. 2) Moles aren't always foreigners--obviously Ames was not a foreigner! 3) No one is coerced into committing treason.

What would be your advice for someone wanting to join the CIA?

My advice is to acquire a foreign language. CIA hires individuals with degrees in many subjects. For detailed information, I'd check their website cia.gov.

Saw you on GMA. That is so cool what you did! For the mini-series, are you involved in any scenes in the show?

No, I'm not personally involved. I'm portrayed by actress Jodie Whittaker.

with "operation paperclip", do you feel that the CIA was shaped with the influx of Nazis into the intelligence community?

I have no knowledge of "Operation Paperclip."

well here you go. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Paperclip edit: a great book to read is Secret Agenda by Linda Hunt its full of documented information about the whole ordeal. https://wikispooks.com/wiki/File:Secret_Agenda.pdf

Thanks, I'll check it out!

Have you watched "Chuck" ?

No, I've never watched it. I'm more into sports!