David Rush, a former CIA official, has been arrested by the FBI on federal charges related to the alleged theft of 303 gold bars valued at over $40 million. According to a criminal complaint, Rush, who held a top-secret security clearance, is accused of stealing the gold bars and hiding them at his home in Virginia. He also allegedly misrepresented his educational and military background, which allowed him to collect $77,000 in military leave pay.
The FBI executed a search warrant at Rush's residence on May 18, where they seized the gold bars, approximately $2 million in cash, and 35 luxury watches. The investigation began after the CIA could not locate the gold bars Rush had requested for work-related expenses between November 2025 and March 2026. CIA Director John Ratcliffe referred the case to the FBI after an internal investigation identified potential legal violations. Rush is scheduled for a hearing in federal court in Virginia on Friday.