Ex-CIA officer accused of gold theft allegedly ran fake secret programme

A former CIA official accused of stealing more than $40 million in gold bars allegedly created a fake secret intelligence programme to divert government funds.

According to a report by The Washington Post, David Rush, a former senior CIA employee who worked at the agency for 17 years, was arrested in May after FBI agents allegedly found 303 gold bullion bars, luxury watches and more than $2 million in foreign currency in his office.

US officials now claim Rush also created a fraudulent “special access program” to obtain millions of dollars from the government.

According to The Washington Post, Rush reportedly convinced another employee to transfer funds into the programme through what investigators described as a fake government contract.

“He made up a contract,” a source told the newspaper.

Officials said the programme was supposedly linked to “continuity of government operations”, including plans for government functioning during disasters or nuclear war, The New York Times reported.

Rush has been charged with theft of public funds and is currently being held in Alexandria, Virginia.

Investigators also allege he lied about his military and educational background to secure his CIA role and security clearance.

“Since being honorably discharged in February 2015, Rush has claimed 744 hours of military leave on his official timesheet, representing approximately $77,000 in compensation,” FBI special agent Matthew Johnson wrote in a criminal complaint.

The CIA has reportedly placed several employees on leave while investigations continue.