Ex-CIA Officer Arrested After $40M in Gold Bars Found at Home

David Rush, a former CIA senior officer, was arrested last week after FBI agents discovered approximately 300 gold bars valued at over $40 million in his home, according to court records and sources familiar with the case. The arrest followed an internal CIA investigation that identified potential legal violations, which led to a referral to the FBI. Rush is currently held in jail as his defense attorneys and federal prosecutors prepare for a detention hearing scheduled for June 5 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The FBI charged Rush with criminal theft of public money. The complaint alleges that between November 2025 and March of this year, Rush made multiple requests to the government for large sums of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold bars, claiming these were for work-related expenses. However, his employer, confirmed by sources to be the CIA, was unable to locate the gold bars or determine their intended use. When agents searched Rush’s home on May 18, they seized the gold bars, about $2 million in U.S. currency, and 35 luxury watches, mostly Rolexes.

The complaint also accuses Rush of falsifying his educational and military background over nearly two decades. He allegedly lied to the U.S. Navy when he enlisted in 1997 by submitting transcripts and records falsely indicating he had earned an undergraduate degree from Clemson University. Because of this purported degree, Rush was commissioned as an ensign in the Navy Reserves and was honorably discharged. He also claimed degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the Naval Postgraduate School in his federal employment applications and security clearance forms. He further asserted he graduated from the United States Air Force Test Pilot School and held a senior director position in a joint Army/Navy weapons test organization. The FBI’s investigation found no evidence supporting these claims, including no pilot’s license or FAA certification registered to Rush.

The FBI affidavit alleges Rush claimed tens of thousands of dollars in compensation for military leave by telling the government he was still in the Navy Reserves, despite his honorable discharge. The affidavit further alleges Rush knowingly diverted government funds intended for work-related expenses to his personal possession.

The CIA and FBI issued a joint statement saying Rush was arrested following a referral from the CIA after an internal investigation identified potential violations of law. The statement noted that CIA Director John Ratcliffe referred the information to the FBI for law enforcement investigation. The agencies emphasized their commitment to a thorough investigation and accountability.

This case has raised questions about the effectiveness of federal security vetting processes, which include continuous background checks on employees’ financial activities, travel, and credit records to prevent vulnerabilities. The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency oversees these programs and falls under the authority of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. It remains unclear how the investigation into Rush began or when he left the CIA. Sources indicated that most — if not all — of the requested funds, including the gold and foreign currency, were recovered.