Ex-CIA Official Arrested With $40 Million Gold, $2 Million Cash

David Rush, a former senior CIA official, faces charges of theft of government money after federal agents discovered a staggering $40 million in gold bars and $2 million in cash at his Virginia home. The FBI's investigation, detailed in court documents, revealed that Rush had a history of deception regarding his qualifications, including fabricating his educational achievements and military service, such as falsely claiming to be a Navy Reserve pilot.

According to the affidavit, Rush also submitted fraudulent timesheets and illegally obtained approximately $77,000 in military leave pay. The document further describes him as a former government employee with top-secret clearance and access to classified information. His requests to his employer for "a significant quantity of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold bars for work-related expenses" between November and March raised further suspicion.

The discovery of the missing gold, initially stored at his workplace, led agents to search his residence, where they found approximately 303 gold bars. Rush was arrested on May 19. A lawyer representing Rush declined to comment on the matter to The New York Times, which first reported on his former role at the CIA.