The FBI has discovered 303 gold bars worth over $40 million in the home of former CIA official David Rush. Rush, who was arrested on May 19, is accused of criminal theft of public money after allegedly lying about his credentials and embezzling valuables from the U.S. government. The gold bars, along with $2 million in cash and 35 luxury watches, were seized during a search of his Virginia home.
Rush, a former senior executive service-level employee with top secret clearance, allegedly requested and received significant quantities of foreign currency and gold bars for “work-related expenses” between November 2025 and March 2026. However, an internal investigation by the CIA, led by Director John Ratcliffe, found no records of the gold bars or currency being used for their intended purposes.
According to an FBI affidavit, Rush falsely claimed military leave and lied about his education and military service in government job applications. He fraudulently took $77,000 in military leave, claiming to be an active Navy Reserve member, despite being honorably discharged in 2015.
The case was referred to the FBI by the CIA after identifying potential legal violations. Rush is currently in custody, awaiting a detention hearing in Alexandria, Virginia. The investigation continues, and Rush’s attorney has declined to comment on the matter.
The discovery of the gold bars has sparked discussions about the use of gold in covert operations. While gold is often used in intelligence and military operations to make untraceable payments, the FBI has not disclosed why Rush kept the gold and currency in his home.
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