Posted by Chinenye on Wed 07th Oct, 2026 - tori.ng
A former CIA officer has admitted to a massive fraud scheme that allegedly involved fake government deals and secret information.
(Former CIA officer David Rush. Photo by BBC News)
Former CIA officer David Rush, 49, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after admitting he cheated the US government of about $200 million through fake contracts and fraudulent real estate deals.
He was arrested after investigators found 298 gold bars, $2 million in cash and 35 luxury watches at his home.
Prosecutors said he repeatedly asked for large amounts of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold, claiming they were needed for work expenses.
According to court filings, Rush made up a highly classified programme to justify buying luxury properties in South Florida, which he planned to resell for his own profit.
He used the money he got by fraud to buy the properties, and even spent $40,000 on kitchen appliances for one of them.
The wire fraud charge is linked to a $45 million transfer he started in January 2026.
Prosecutors said he acted as his own approving official, which let him spend huge sums of government money without proper checks.
Rush also admitted passing top-secret information to an unauthorised foreign government official.
Prosecutors said he revealed the existence and description of a secret human source, and warned that this could put the source and the US officials working with them in danger.
Under his plea deal, he must give up the luxury real estate, two BMW cars, the 35 watches, the gold bars, the $2 million in cash and nearly $39 million seized from his bank account.
He will also pay money back to the US government.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe said Rush abused his position and betrayed public trust.
Rush was once a senior executive in the CIA's Directorate of Science and Technology and held top-secret clearance.
A federal judge will sentence him later, with a hearing set for January 28.
The wire fraud charge carries a maximum of 20 years in prison.
(Stacks of cash and gold bars were discovered at Rush's home. Photo by Instablog)