CIA Agent Accused of Stealing $40 Million in Gold Bars Through Work Expenses

Former CIA Official David Rush Arrested for Alleged Embezzlement

A former senior Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) official, David Rush, has been arrested and charged with criminal theft of public money. According to a joint statement released by the CIA and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Rush was taken into custody on May 19.

An internal investigation within the CIA identified potential violations of the law, which led Director John Ratcliffe to refer the case to the FBI. Rush is currently being held in jail, awaiting a detention hearing on Friday in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia.

An FBI affidavit filed on May 20 provides details of the allegations against Rush. The document states that from 2009 to May 2026, Rush knowingly embezzled valuables belonging to the US government. It is unclear what position he held in the CIA.

Rush enlisted in the US Navy in 1997 and submitted a transcript from South Carolina’s Clemson University, which led to his commission as an officer in the US Navy Reserves. However, records show that Rush claimed additional military leave after being honourably discharged in February 2015, amounting to approximately $77,000 in compensation.

Rush also repeatedly lied about his education and military credentials in multiple US government job applications. Investigators found no evidence of his claims regarding his education or military service.

According to the affidavit, from November 2025 to March 2026, Rush requested and received a significant quantity of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold bars for work-related expenses. The CIA was unable to locate the gold bars or significant amounts of foreign currency upon conducting its investigation.

On May 18, FBI officials searched Rush’s home and found approximately 303 gold bars worth more than $40 million, as well as about $2 million in US currency and 35 luxury watches.

Source: Al Jazeera