The International Spy Museum hosted a number of our intelligence community’s finest at the premiere of The Assets, a new ABC mini series, on Monday night. The spotlight shown on Sandy Grimes (in red, above), the honoree of the evening and protagonist of the show. She is perhaps best known as the former CIA officer who had a hand in catching the ever infamous and despised CIA traitor turned Russian informant, Aldrich Ames. She is co-author of the book, Circle of Treason, with former officer Jeanne Vertefeuille, which is the premise for the mini series.
Never alone, Grimes was joined by series executive producers Morgan Hertzan and Rudy Bednar; Peter Earnest, executive director of the International Spy Museum; Fortune 500 executives; and a number of Washington elite. Among the many attendees — one personally connected to Aldrich Ames’ treasonous acts — was Marina Polyakov. She is granddaughter of “crown jewel” Russian informant for the CIA Dimitri Polyakov, who was betrayed by Aldrich.
Prior to the screening and discussion, attendees conversed in the lobby, enjoying specialty Moscow Mule cocktails and hour d’oeuvres. The dim lighting, hushed tones, and discreet celebrity appearances were precisely the environment to honor such historical sleuthing.
