Schaghticoke

The Rensselaer County man in charge of developing software systems that run New York state's high-voltage electric grid is a former Soviet spy, according to an upcoming "60 Minutes" special.

Jack Barsky now works as director of software development for the New York Independent System Operator, the North Greenbush organization that oversees the state's electrical grid and wholesale electric markets.

"I can confirm that," Barsky said about what he told "60 Minutes" about his earlier life as a Cold War spy.

"Six months ago, I wouldn't have thought I'd be here," he said.

Barsky was polite, relaxed and pleasant during a brief interview Friday afternoon at the rural Schaghticoke home where he has lived for about two years.

Barsky, 70, said he is writing a book about his life and that in three months he may be available to discuss everything in greater detail. He declined to elaborate, saying he has a working title he wouldn't disclose. He gave no additional details, although he said he was from far eastern Germany on the border of Poland.

Barsky hasn't worked as a spy for decades and has had a well-regarded career as an IT specialist.

The NYISO didn't know of his past when it hired him in 2011. It learned about his KGB ties only after Barsky revealed the upcoming "60 Minutes" interview to them, a spokesman said. Barsky is currently on administrative leave from the NYISO.

"The NYISO conducts thorough background checks on all of our employees in accordance with federal requirements that apply to grid operators," NYISO spokesman David Flanagan told the Times Union on Friday. "In addition, the NYISO has a long-standing and productive relationship with the FBI. The FBI was aware of Mr. Barsky and his employment with the NYISO and determined that at no time did he pose a threat to the NYISO or grid security."

Barsky's neighbor Dana Jordan said he learned about the "60 Minutes" segment from another neighbor and has been checking the television listings every Sunday to find out when the report would be aired.

Jordan said he was surprised when he learned about Barsky's background.

"The guy worked for the KGB," Jordan said. "There's a KGB spy across the street."

Barsky and his family have socialized at Jordan's home, the neighbor said, describing Barsky as laid-back.

Barsky has also worked for other well-known energy firms, including NRG Energy and ConEdison Solutions. He was chief information officer for both companies, dating back to 2002.

More Information Want to watch? See a preview of the "60 Minutes" interview with Jack Barsky http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/preview-an-ex-kgb-agents-life-in-the-u-s/ See More Collapse

In the "60 Minutes" story, set to run Sunday, Barsky told interviewer Steve Kroft that he was known as Albrecht Dieterich in his native Germany and planned to become a chemistry professor.

"I was recruited by the KGB to do something more adventurous," Barsky told Kroft.

Barsky, who admits to having families on both sides of the Atlantic, said he was sent to the United States with just $6,000 and orders to infiltrate the business community and get close to Zbigniew Brzezinski, President Jimmy Carter's national security adviser from 1977-81. He never had any handlers and was deactivated by the Soviets after 10 years, according to "60 Minutes."

Capital New York first uncovered Barsky's connection to the NYISO, which is not mentioned in a short preview of Sunday's program.

This is not the Barsky family's first television appearance: Their dog was the subject of local TV coverage in early April when he was caught on the ice in the nearby Hudson River, Jordan said. Several local fire departments responded to rescue the dog, which was running around on the family property on Friday.

The NYISO, which oversees the state's high-voltage electrical grid, says it is aware of the "60 Minutes" report and has been working with law enforcement. Barsky had already been working with the federal government to tell them what he knew about the KGB.

"We are aware of a '60 Minutes' piece involving one of our employees, Jack Barsky, that is unrelated to his employment here," Flanagan said in a statement. "Out of an abundance of caution, we reviewed the matter with the appropriate federal and state authorities. We continue to work closely with them, and our extensive internal reviews of this matter have shown no instances of our systems or security having been affected in any way. We remain confident that our systems will continue to keep the electric system safe and reliable for all New Yorkers."

The state Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities in the state, including the NYISO, says they have looked into the Barsky case and found no wrongdoing.

"After a thorough review, the individual in question did not pose a threat to the NYISO or grid security," PSC spokesman James Denn said Friday. "There is no evidence of any inappropriate activities posing any kind of security risk to the grid. State officials have also met with appropriate state and federal officials on this matter and will continue to monitor events."

Barsky was paid a salary of about $240,000, according to NYISO tax records.

lrulison@timesunion.com • 518-454-5504 • @larryrulisonlrulison@timesunion.com • 518-454-5504 • @larryrulison