Who Is Paul Whelan? Security Director And Police Officer Married Life And Career Earnings

Paul Whelan was not married when he was detained in Russia. 

Also, the former police officer is not known to have children but has a dog named Flora. Nonetheless, he is very close to his siblings, who are still making a total effort to bring him home. 

In 2018, Whelan went to Moscow to attend the wedding of his friend and a former Marine. He was tasked with assisting the groom’s family members on their first trip to Russia as he had visited the country many times before. 

The FSB arrested him on December 28, 2018. They confirmed the arrest and formally charged him with spying on January 3, 2019. The 52-year-old will be back home if the deal goes through. 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Blinken says US has made substantial offer to Russia for release of American detainees Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner.

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 27, 2022

Paul Whelan has a sister, Elizabeth Whelan, who has been quite vocal since his detention. 

When President Biden called Griner’s family to ensure the safe return of Brittney, Elizabeth was the one who took it to the media. She was frustrated because her brother was also detained in a foreign country. 

“I think our concern is, you know, why the outreach to some of the families and not others. Some 55-plus families would like to have that same degree of attention,” She said in an interview. 

Moreover, Whelan has a twin brother, David Whelan, and another brother, Andrew Whelan. He used to live in Novi, Michigan, before his detention. 

Paul Whelan’s sister wants families of detained Americans to see a more even-handed outreach from the Biden administration. @elizabethwhelan talks with @EricaRHill following a Biden & Harris phone call with Brittney Griner’s wife pic.twitter.com/zODs3Fm3JI

— The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) July 6, 2022

Paul Whelan was a corporate security director before his detention. However, his net worth remains unknown for the time being. 

Moreover, he also served in the US Marine Corps for several years until he received a bad conduct discharge. Previously, Whelan also worked as a police officer in Michigan. 

Originally from Ottawa, Canada, he has citizenship in Canada, the US, Ireland, and the UK. The 52-year-old had traveled to several countries during his service, and Russia was one of them. 

During his time in Russia, he was arrested with over $80,000 cash at the airport, per the Russian Federal Security Service. He received a 16-year prison sentence in 2020. 

However, the United States proposed a deal to swap him and WNBA star Brittney Griner with a Russian arms dealer, Viktor Bout. But the Russians are yet to respond to the agreement.