These FBI agents revealed that the Department of Justice had paid for the hotel Lesin was staying in because officials wanted to understand the Russian news network RT operated. An intelligence official told BuzzFeed News that Lesin essentially was a defector, trading secrets in exchange for protection after he had fallen out of Putin’s good graces.

“He contacted the Justice Department and the FBI through a third party,” the intelligence official said. “He was worried about his kids and their safety so he wanted to cooperate.”

Lesin died the evening before the interview.