Ex-CIA officer pleads guilty in theft of $40M in gold bars

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (7News) — A former CIA officer has pleaded guilty in an Alexandria federal court to stealing nearly $194 million, including more than $40 million in gold bars.

David J. Rush, 49, entered the plea on Tuesday as part of a plea agreement.

Under the deal, Rush could face up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced.

“By his own admission, David Rush defrauded the government of hundreds of millions of dollars, and then misused those funds for extravagant purchases,” said FBI Director Kash Patel in a statement. “Rush betrayed his oath, his co-workers, and the American people and he will now face justice for his actions.”

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Read the full plea agreement below:

Rush was arrested in May on a criminal complaint charging him with theft of government property, according to the filing. Rush created “fictitious government authorities” to acquire the funds, using the money to buy luxury real estate, watches, and at least one car, according to a Department of Justice news release.

Federal investigators said they found more than 300 gold bars worth more than $40 million during a May 18 search of his Ashburn, Virginia home. They also seized roughly $2 million in U.S. currency and about 35 luxury watches, many of them Rolexes, according to an FBI affidavit.

Rush requested foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold for work-related expenses, then diverted government property for personal use.

Read the statement of facts below:

In addition to prison time, Rush will have to pay a fine of up to $250,000 as well as full restitution and he will have to forfeit all assets that resulted from these crimes.

Rush is set to be sentenced on Jan. 28.