A former high-ranking CIA official, accused of fabricating his credentials to claim $77,000 in fraudulent military leave, was arrested after FBI agents discovered a staggering fortune hidden in his Virginia home. The raid uncovered 303 gold bars valued at $40 million, $2 million in cash, and nearly three dozen luxury Rolex watches, according to court documents.
Investigation and Discovery
David Rush, until recently a senior executive service-level employee at the CIA, had requested the massive haul of gold and foreign currency for work-related expenses between November and March. A routine audit revealed the assets were missing from official custody, prompting CIA Director John Ratcliffe to refer the matter to federal investigators.
The FBI stated, "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. The FBI is working closely with our partners at the CIA and the Department of Justice as we continue to investigate this matter fully."
Before the raid, federal officials inspected a storage space in Rush's office where he kept work-related funds. However, only a portion of the currency he received remained in the storage space, according to the court affidavit.
Charges and Background
Currently, Rush is charged with inflating his college resume and scamming the government out of military leave pay. He allegedly falsely claimed to be a member of the Navy Reserve. According to the affidavit, Rush fabricated much of his background to secure a senior executive service role in the federal government.
Rush enlisted in the Navy in 1997 and was honorably discharged in 2015. He never enlisted in any other branch of the U.S. military. After his discharge, he allegedly falsified active Captain status to receive $77,000 in unearned military leave while drawing an inflated executive salary.
He also claimed to have a mathematics degree from Clemson University and an electrical engineering master's from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, but registrars found no record of him. Additionally, Rush alleged certifications from the U.S. Air Force and Naval Test Pilot Schools, but FAA and military files reveal he lacked a pilot's license, serving instead as an IT technician among other roles.
Rush is currently being held in federal custody.
