[TylerE]

The same reason anyone does something obviously reprehensible: A briefcase full of cash.

[iforgotpassword]

Or, considering this guy is said to be pretty eccentric, just for the sake of it. Working against the system. Being rebellious. Just the faint idea of having a global impact on the distribution of power. Similar reasons, aside from money, drove people like Karl Koch to do what they did.

[r00fus]

I’ll go with the follow-the-money argument. It is almost always the correct answer.

[andrewflnr]

Maybe not here. Ideology and thrill are canonically right up there with money as reasons people engage in espionage.

[dmos62]

He's accused of trading while under economic sanctions. Not espionage.

[jessaustin]

Yes this argument explains why the military-industrial complex and war media constantly bombard us with the constant message of, "FEAR! KILL! FEAR! KILL!" They gotta send the kids to college, you know. Remember the Maine.