Ex-US Spy Found With $40M in Gold Bars Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

A former CIA official named David Rush, 49, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after police found more than $40 million worth of gold bars at his home. Rush had worked for the United States government and had access to top secret information. He was arrested in May, and a federal judge approved his plea deal on Tuesday. The deal requires him to pay back nearly $200 million to the government.

As part of the deal, Rush also admitted to sharing secret information with a foreign government. Prosecutors said this could have caused "grave damage" to national security. He revealed the identity of a secret spy who was working with the US government. Sharing that kind of information can put people's lives in danger and make it harder for the US to recruit future spies.

When police raided Rush's home, they found 298 gold bars, $2 million in cash, and 35 luxury watches. Rush had told the government the gold bars were needed for "work-related expenses." He also made up a fake classified program to get money to buy expensive real estate in South Florida. He planned to sell those properties and keep the profit for himself.

Rush worked as a senior executive at a US government agency in Virginia. He had top secret clearance, which means he was trusted with highly sensitive information. US media reported that he worked in the CIA's Directorate of Science and Technology, which builds high-tech spy tools. Because of his senior role, he was able to approve his own spending requests, which let him steal large amounts of money without anyone checking his work.

Between November 2025 and March 2026, Rush asked for large amounts of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold bars. In January 2026, he started a wire transfer of $45 million, which is the specific act he pleaded guilty to. Prosecutors said he was moving money into gold bars and other goods that are easy to trade, because he was likely trying to hide the stolen funds. There is still a large amount of money that has not been found.

Rush must now hand over the watches, two BMW cars, the cash, and nearly $39 million seized from his bank account. A judge will decide his sentence at a later hearing, scheduled for January 28. The charge of wire fraud can carry up to 20 years in prison, and more time can be added under federal law. CIA Director John Ratcliffe said Rush "abused his position and betrayed the public trust."

Before this case, Rush had already been accused of other dishonest acts. He was accused of taking paid military leave after already leaving the Navy. He also reportedly lied about his education and military service when he applied for his government job in 2009. Court records show he falsely claimed to have been a Navy pilot. "These and other representations concerning Rush's military and academic accomplishments were false," the plea deal filing states.