A former senior CIA officer is accused of stealing more than $40 million in gold bars and currency from the agency, according to an FBI affidavit. David Rush, a former executive service-level employee, allegedly took 303 gold bars, each weighing 1kg, and over $2 million in foreign currency from a government storage office.
Rush was arrested last week and charged with theft of public money. A search of his home in Virginia uncovered 35 luxury watches, many of them Rolex. The FBI affidavit states that between November 2025 and March 2026, Rush made several requests for large quantities of gold and foreign currency for purported work-related expenses.
The theft charge, however, relates not to the gold or cash but to allegations that Rush falsified his educational qualifications and military service to secure his CIA job. He joined the agency in 2009 and obtained top secret clearance. The FBI claims Rush falsely represented himself as a navy captain and pilot, and claimed 744 hours of military leave after being honorably discharged in 2015, receiving approximately $77,000 in compensation.
The CIA and FBI issued a joint statement saying Rush was arrested on 19 May after an internal CIA investigation. CIA Director John Ratcliffe referred the matter to the FBI. Rush remains in custody; a detention hearing has been postponed to 5 June.
