Former CIA Officer Arrested After 298 Gold Bars Were Found In His Home, Admits To Defra¥ding US Government Of $200m

Former CIA Officer Arrested After 298 Gold Bars Were Found In His Home, Admits To Defra¥ding US Government Of $200m

Former CIA officer David Rush, 49, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after admitting to defra¥ding the US government of about $200 million through fake contracts and fra¥dulent real estate deals.

Rush was arrested after investigators found 298 gold bars, $2 million in cash and 35 luxury watches at his home. Prosecutors said he had repeatedly requested large amounts of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold, claiming they were needed for work-related expenses.

According to court filings, Rush fabricated a highly classified programme to justify buying luxury properties in South Florida, which he planned to resell for personal profit. He allegedly used fraudulently obtained government funds to acquire the properties, including spending $40,000 on kitchen appliances for one of them.

The wire fraud charge is linked to a $45 million transfer he initiated in January 2026. Prosecutors said Rush effectively acted as his own approving official, allowing him to spend substantial government funds without meaningful scrutiny.

Rush also admitted giving top-secret information to an unauthorised foreign government official. Prosecutors said he revealed the existence and description of a clandestine human source, warning that the disclosure could endanger the source and US officials working with them.

Under his plea deal, Rush must forfeit luxury real estate, two BMW vehicles, 35 watches, the gold bars, $2 million in cash and nearly $39 million seized from his bank account. He will also pay restitution to the US government.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe said Rush abused his position and betrayed public trust. Rush previously served as a senior executive in the CIA’s Directorate of Science and Technology and had top-secret clearance.

A federal judge will sentence him at a later date, with a hearing scheduled for January 28. The wire fra¥d charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.