Ex CIA officer charged over alleged theft of gold bars and public funds

A former senior officer at the Central Intelligence Agency has been accused of secretly storing hundreds of gold bars and millions of dollars in cash at his home, according to court documents and sources familiar with the case.

David Rush, who reportedly held top secret security clearance and a management role at the agency, was charged last week in Virginia with criminal theft of public money.

Authorities allege he falsely claimed the funds and gold were needed for “work-related expenses”.

According to an affidavit filed by an FBI agent, Rush requested foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold bars between November and March.

Investigators later found only part of the funds in a storage space near his office.

Federal agents searched his home on May 18 and allegedly seized around 300 gold bars worth more than $40 milllion, alongside approximately $2 million in cash and 35 luxury watches, mostly Rolexes.

The FBI and CIA said in a joint statement: “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.”

Investigators also accused Rush of lying about his academic and professional background for years, including claims that he was a Navy pilot and university graduate. Court filings say those claims were false.