A Fairfax County man accused of stealing government funds and stockpiling millions of dollars in gold bars has now been identified as aformer CIA officer, according to US court documents. Federal investigators allege David J. Rush secretly stored hundreds of gold bars, cash and luxury watches inside his Virginia home while working in a senior intelligence role with top secret security clearance.
Rush was arrested last week and charged with theft of public money following an FBI investigation linked to alleged fraud involving government funds, military leave compensation and requests for gold bullion made through his employer. Court records filed in Alexandria, Virginia, show prosecutors sought his detention while the case proceeds through federal court.
The allegations have drawn wider attention afterNBC Newsreported that Rush previously held a senior management role within the CIA. Investigators also allege he falsified parts of his educational and military background for years while obtaining government employment, promotions and security clearances.
According to an FBI affidavit first reported byPatch, federal agents searched Rush's home on 18 May and seized approximately 303 gold bars weighing around one kilogramme each. Investigators estimated the gold alone was worth more than $40 million (about £30 million) based on current market prices.
Agents also recovered approximately $2 million (about £1.5 million) in cash and around 35 luxury watches, many identified in court filings as Rolex watches.
Federal investigators allege Rush requested large amounts of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold bars between November 2025 and March 2026 while claiming the assets were needed for 'work-related expenses'. According to the affidavit, investigators later determined that portions of the requested currency and bullion could not be accounted for.
JUST IN: FBI arrests senior CIA official after uncovering over $40 million in gold bars & $2 million in cash at his Virginia home.
Much of the missing gold and currency was later recovered during the FBI search of Rush's property.
The CIA and FBI confirmed the investigation followed an internal agency referral. In a joint statement reported byNBC News, the agencies said CIA Director John Ratcliffe referred the matter to the FBI after an internal review identified 'potential violations of the law'.
Court filings also accuse Rush of falsely claiming to hold degrees from Clemson University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on government applications and security clearance paperwork. According to the FBI affidavit, officials from both universities told investigators they could not verify that Rush had attended either institution.
Source: International Business Times UK
