Former CIA Official Pleads Guilty in $194 Million Fraud on Government

A former senior CIA official pleaded guilty Tuesday, Oct. 6, to a fraud scheme that cost the federal government about $194 million, which he used to buy gold bars, Florida real estate and luxury watches, the Justice Department said.

David J. Rush, 49, of Ashburn, Va., admitted to one count of wire fraud in federal court in Alexandria, Va. U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff accepted Rush's guilty plea and set sentencing for Jan. 28, 2027. Rush faces up to 20 years in prison.

Rush held a senior executive post and a top secret clearance, and court documents cited by the department say he reached that job in part by lying about his education and military experience. He created fictitious government authorities, including a fake Special Access Program, to obtain federal funds. He used the money to buy gold bars and directed about $145 million in wire transfers that went toward luxury real estate, watches and at least one car. The real estate included four Florida homes, three in Palm Beach and one in Hobe Sound, bought for about $102.6 million in total. In all, he obtained about $193.6 million, prosecutors said.

The wire fraud count centers on a $45 million transfer on Jan. 23 from a government contractor to a holding company Rush controlled. A contractor employee initiated the wire at his direction.

In the statement of facts he signed, Rush also admitted that in late 2025 he disclosed descriptive information about a U.S. clandestine human source to a foreign government official who was not authorized to receive it. The statement says the disclosure could endanger the source and the U.S. officers working with that person.

FBI agents searched Rush's home on May 19 and found 298 gold bars, about $2.1 million in cash, 104,795 euros and numerous luxury watches. The gold had cost the government about $46 million. Under the plea deal, Rush will forfeit the gold, the cash, the properties, 30 watches and two 2026 BMW Alpina vehicles. He has been held without bond since his arrest.

"David Rush abused his position and betrayed the public trust and should be held fully accountable for his actions," CIA Director John Ratcliffe said. He said the agency referred the case to the FBI after an internal investigation turned up possible crimes.

The Justice Department said its investigation is continuing. The director of national intelligence has asked the intelligence community's inspector general to open a separate inquiry.