Anna Chapman, the pouty face of the Russian spy ring, is considering “selling (or at least telling)” her story to British tabloids, according to Newsweek. The only problem is that her plea agreement explicitly states that she and the other agents must turn over any proceeds they make from selling their stories to the U.S. government.
According to Ms. Chapman’s lawyer, Robert Baum, she has still considered talking to the tabloids, because, technically, she is now outside the jurisdiction of the U.S.
“On the issue of enforcement, I told her to seek a lawyer and to determine what her rights are,” Mr. Baum told Newsweek, adding that his client “knows well that the provisions of the agreement would put any money in jeopardy.”
He added that “there are obvious issues about the enforceability of that provision. But Ms. Chapman’s view at the time of her departure from the U.S. was that perhaps she would just be better off trying to reestablish her [real estate] business in a way that doesn’t challenge the provision.” Still, “that could change in the future. Remember, according to the provision, there is no prohibition against her talking. That would have been illegal. She just can’t make money from it, or else the government will go after that money.”
