Federal prosecutors have reached a tentative plea agreement with David Rush, a former CIA officer accused of stealing 303 gold bars worth over $40 million and hiding them in his Virginia home, court records show.
The parties filed a joint motion in a Virginia federal court on Friday, requesting a three-week extension to finalize the agreement, pushing the deadline from September 17 to October 8. Prosecutors and Rush’s attorney cited the need to prepare paperwork, including an agreed-upon statement of facts, and noted that a pre-indictment resolution would conserve government and judicial resources.
Rush, who held a senior executive position at the CIA, was arrested in May after an FBI search of his home uncovered the gold bars, $2 million in foreign currency, and 35 luxury watches, many of which were Rolex. He was charged with one count of stealing public money for allegedly falsifying his educational and military credentials to secure his position and submitting fraudulent timecards to claim $77,000 in unauthorized military leave compensation.
Investigators later discovered Rush had allegedly set up a fake classified program through which he requested the gold bars and foreign currency as “work-related expenses.” His employment applications reportedly contained false claims about his academic and military background, spanning nearly two decades.
Key Details of the Case
- Gold bars seized: 303 bars, each weighing 2.2 pounds (1 kg), valued at over $40 million.
- Additional seized items: $2 million in foreign currency and 35 luxury watches.
- Charges filed: One count of stealing public money for timesheet fraud.
- Alleged fraud: Falsified military leave records totaling $77,000 and fabricated credentials for CIA employment.
- Timeline: Arrested in May; plea deal discussions ongoing since then.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The FBI’s criminal complaint, filed in May, outlined Rush’s alleged scheme, including his requests for large sums of foreign currency and gold bars under the guise of official expenses. The complaint noted that the CIA could not identify the intended use of these funds.
A federal judge ordered Rush to remain in custody pending trial in June. The plea agreement discussions aim to resolve the case before formal indictment, with both sides stating that proceeding to trial would require significant litigation, particularly regarding classified material.
Connections to Defense Department Official
NBC News reported that the case has drawn attention to Rush’s relationship with Steve Feinberg, the No. 2 official at the Defense Department. The FBI reviewed video showing Rush and Feinberg at a Washington-area residence linked to the U.S. government. Feinberg has been interviewed by the FBI but has not been accused of wrongdoing.
The CIA placed senior officials on leave following Rush’s arrest, and his alleged deception spanned nearly two decades, including his work on some of the agency’s most sensitive programs.
Next Steps
The court filing did not specify the charges Rush would plead to under the tentative agreement. Both sides requested the extension to finalize the paperwork, emphasizing the public interest in resolving the matter efficiently.