FBI Charges Former CIA Officer with Theft Following Discovery of Gold Bars and Cash

The Justice Department has charged former CIA official David Rush with theft of public money after an FBI raid on his Virginia home revealed over 300 gold bars, 35 luxury watches, and $2 million in cash. Rush, who held a senior position at a government agency with top security clearance, was arrested earlier this month. According to court documents, Rush made requests to the CIA for significant amounts of foreign currency and gold bars for work-related expenses from November 2025 to March 2026. However, the CIA has been unable to locate the gold bars or the majority of the foreign currency he received. The FBI affidavit also alleges that Rush provided false information about his education and military service on his CIA application. He claimed to have attended Clemson University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and to be a graduate of the United States Air Force Test Pilot School, but records do not support these claims. Additionally, investigators found that Rush improperly claimed military leave, resulting in $77,000 in compensation that he should not have received. The FBI's investigation was initiated following a referral from the CIA after an internal investigation identified potential legal violations.