This is such a wild story that it deserves its own thread.
Hard to believe that the Federal Govt's security vetting process can be so crappy.
A former CIA officer was arrested last week after federal agents found more than 300 gold bars worth over $40 million stashed in his Virginia home.
David Rush is described in court documents as a "former Senior Executive Service level employee at a United States Government agency" who "possesses" top secret clearance and "has access to classified information." According to multiple media outlets, Rush worked for the Central Intelligence Agency.
The FBI executed a search warrant at Rush's Virginia home on May 18, according to an affidavit filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Virginia.
During the search, FBI agents seized approximately 303 gold bars, each weighing roughly 1 kg and estimated to be worth more than $40 million. Federal agents also seized about $2 million in cash and approximately 35 luxury watches, many of which were Rolexes.
Rush was arrested the following day on a charge of "theft of public money." He is being held pending a detention hearing scheduled for June 5.
In a joint statement to NBC News, the CIA and FBI said that the agency notified the bureau after an internal investigation by the CIA identified "potential violations of law."
According to the criminal complaint, between November 2025 and March 2026, Rush made several requests for "a significant quantity of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold bars for work-related expenses."
When Rush's employers conducted a review of his storage space at his government office, they were "unable to locate the gold bars or significant amounts of the foreign currency" that he had received. They also could not "identify the intended use of these funds."
The court documents allege that Rush lied on applications for government jobs and clearances, falsely claiming that he had earned degrees from Clemson University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and that he had served as a Navy pilot.
They also allege that Rush fraudulently took $77,000 in military leave after lying about being an active member of the Navy Reserve.
Former CIA officer accused of stealing 300 gold bars, sources say
Ex-CIA officer arrested after FBI seizes 300 gold bars worth over $40M stashed in his home
Hard to believe that the Federal Govt's security vetting process can be so crappy.
A former CIA officer was arrested last week after federal agents found more than 300 gold bars worth over $40 million stashed in his Virginia home.
David Rush is described in court documents as a "former Senior Executive Service level employee at a United States Government agency" who "possesses" top secret clearance and "has access to classified information." According to multiple media outlets, Rush worked for the Central Intelligence Agency.
The FBI executed a search warrant at Rush's Virginia home on May 18, according to an affidavit filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Virginia.
During the search, FBI agents seized approximately 303 gold bars, each weighing roughly 1 kg and estimated to be worth more than $40 million. Federal agents also seized about $2 million in cash and approximately 35 luxury watches, many of which were Rolexes.
Rush was arrested the following day on a charge of "theft of public money." He is being held pending a detention hearing scheduled for June 5.
In a joint statement to NBC News, the CIA and FBI said that the agency notified the bureau after an internal investigation by the CIA identified "potential violations of law."
According to the criminal complaint, between November 2025 and March 2026, Rush made several requests for "a significant quantity of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold bars for work-related expenses."
When Rush's employers conducted a review of his storage space at his government office, they were "unable to locate the gold bars or significant amounts of the foreign currency" that he had received. They also could not "identify the intended use of these funds."
The court documents allege that Rush lied on applications for government jobs and clearances, falsely claiming that he had earned degrees from Clemson University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and that he had served as a Navy pilot.
They also allege that Rush fraudulently took $77,000 in military leave after lying about being an active member of the Navy Reserve.
Former CIA officer accused of stealing 300 gold bars, sources say
Ex-CIA officer arrested after FBI seizes 300 gold bars worth over $40M stashed in his home
