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Miami couple plead not guilty in spy case

MIAMI - Two longtime academics pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that they secretly acted as agents for Cuba's communist government.

Carlos Alvarez, 61, and Elsa Alvarez, 55, entered the pleas in a brief hearing before a U.S. magistrate. They are accused of being agents of a foreign power without registering with the U.S. government, an offense carrying a maximum 10-year prison sentence.

Prosecutors say the couple spied for Cuba for decades, using their positions at Florida International University as a cover. He is a psychology professor and she coordinates a social work program at the Miami school.

An indictment unsealed Jan. 9 alleges the Alvarezes spied on Cuban-American exile groups and provided information and political analysis to Cuba. Prosecutors say they both confessed in statements to the FBI in the summer. They are not accused of obtaining any sensitive U.S. government information.

Steve Chaykin and Jane Moscowitz, attorneys for the couple, said they will appeal an earlier ruling that the Alvarezes, parents of a 12-year-old daughter, be kept in detention until trial because they are a risk to flee to Cuba.

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore. No date has been set for the trial or a new bail hearing.

Both Alvarezes remain on paid administrative leave from FIU, school spokesman Mark Riordan said. "We are continuing to review their status," Riordan said.

[Last modified January 20, 2006, 01:46:11]