A former senior CIA official who allegedly diverted nearly $200 million from the federal government misrepresented his military service and education to advance his career at the agency, federal prosecutors said.
David J. Rush pleaded guilty in federal court in Virginia to one count of wire fraud. His plea followed an FBI search of his home that uncovered 298 gold bars valued at $46 million, $2.1 million in cash and dozens of luxury items.
“Federal employees are entrusted with serving the American people, not themselves,” Attorney General Todd Blanche said. “The Trump Administration is committed to rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government, including by prosecuting those who foolishly defraud American taxpayers.”
David Rush, a former CIA officer, admitted to defrauding the government of hundreds of millions of dollars. Federal prosecutors said investigators found $40 million in gold bars at his home in May, along with millions of dollars in cash and luxury watches. (Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images; Alexandria Sheriff’s Office)
Prosecutors said Rush fabricated an extensive professional background to rise through the CIA ranks and obtain top-secret security clearances.
On government employment applications, he falsely claimed to have graduated from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and to have served as director of test operations for a joint Army/Navy unit.
In fact, Rush was never a pilot, did not hold any Federal Aviation Administration licenses and spent most of his Navy career working as an information systems technician.
After reaching a senior leadership role, Rush allegedly engineered an extensive scheme to divert taxpayer money. According to the Justice Department, he established fictitious government entities and invented initiatives, including a fake “Special Access Program,” to route federal funds into accounts he controlled. The scheme ultimately netted $194 million.
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The seal of the Central Intelligence Agency is displayed in the foyer of the original headquarters building in Langley, Virginia, on Friday, Sept. 18, 2009. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Rush transferred $145 million through wire transactions to support an extravagant lifestyle, using the money to buy luxury real estate, high-end vehicles and large amounts of physical gold.
“Rush abused his position and betrayed the public trust and should be held fully accountable for his actions,” CIA Director John Ratcliffe said. “Following an internal investigation that identified potential crimes, CIA immediately referred this matter to the FBI.”
An image shows gold bars and millions of dollars in cash seized from David Rush’s home. (Justice Department)
As part of his plea agreement, Rush agreed to surrender every asset seized during the investigation. The forfeiture includes 298 gold bars, $2.1 million in cash, his real estate holdings, 30 luxury watches—most of them Rolexes—and two 2026 BMW Alpina vehicles. One of the cars was valued at $172,000.
Rush is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 28, 2027. He could receive up to 20 years in federal prison.
