David J. Rush, a former CIA official, is accused of stealing 303 gold bars from the agency, worth more than $40 million, and hiding them in his home, according to US media outlets citing court documents and individuals familiar with the matter.
Rush, a Virginia resident, held a senior management position in the CIA, which came with top secret-level security clearance. An anonymous source told The Washington Post that he worked for the CIA’s Directorate of Science and Technology.
He was arrested last week and charged with theft of public funds, according to The Washington Post. He is being held in jail until his upcoming hearing on that charge, as well as for submitting fraudulent time sheets, according to the New York Times.
From November 2025 to March 2026, Rush requested and received several large amounts of gold and cash, a phenomenon which the agency eventually investigated. Upon discovering possible nefarious behavior, the CIA alerted the VBI, which then searched Rush’s home and found the gold bars, as well as nearly three dozen luxury watches and $2 million in cash, according to US media outlets citing court records.
Rush is also suspected of having falsified information about his academic and military background when he was initially hired for his position at the CIA.
Regarding the case, the CIA and FBI issued a joint statement on May 19, saying:
“After a CIA internal investigation identified potential violations of the law, CIA Director John Ratcliffe referred the information to the FBI for a law enforcement investigation. The FBI is working closely with our partners at the CIA and the Department of Justice as we continue to investigate this matter fully. We are committed to following the facts, ensuring accountability, and pursuing justice in accordance with the law.”
