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A former senior CIA official was arrested last week. FBI agents searched his Virginia home. They found 303 gold bars worth more than $40 million, around $2 million in cash, and about 35 luxury watches, prosecutors said.
The case raises questions about background checks at one of the country’s top intelligence agencies.
David J. Rush, described in a criminal complaint as a former Senior Executive Service-level employee with a top-secret security clearance, was arrested on May 19 and charged with theft of public funds.
When asked by The Washington Post (WP), his attorney, Jessica N. Carmichael, declined to comment.
From November to March, Rush made several requests to his employer for "a significant quantity of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold bars for work-related expenses," according to an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
A subsequent search of his government office found only a portion of the currency in storage. The CIA could not locate the gold bars or the rest of the currency.
The FBI executed a search warrant at Rush's home on May 18.
"During the search, FBI agents seized approximately 303 gold bars, each of which weighs approximately one kilogram. Based on the current price of gold, the estimated value of the gold exceeds $40 million," the affidavit says.
"Finally, FBI agents seized approximately 35 luxury watches, many of which were Rolex brand," it says.
A CIA internal investigation identified potential violations of the law before the case was referred to the FBI by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, according to a joint statement from the two agencies.
"The FBI is working closely with our partners at the CIA and the Department of Justice as we continue to investigate this matter fully," the statement said.
A former U.S. official familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Washington Post that Rush worked for the CIA's Directorate of Science and Technology, which develops high-tech tools for the agency's espionage missions. The New York Times (NYT) reported that Rush was a former senior CIA official, citing people familiar with the investigation.
Rush appears to have joined the CIA around 2009, according to the affidavit.
Rush also allegedly misled the CIA about his academic credentials and military service from the time of his job application.
He claimed to hold a bachelor's degree from Clemson University and a master's degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
An FBI investigation found no record of Rush ever attending either institution, according to the affidavit.
The document also found no evidence to support his claim that he had served as a US Navy pilot.
While Rush was honorably discharged from the Navy in February 2015, he continued to claim he was still in the Navy Reserves and submitted fraudulent time sheets for years afterward.
"Since being honorably discharged in February 2015, RUSH has claimed 744 hours of military leave on his official timesheet, representing approximately $77,000 in compensation," the affidavit says.
Rush waived his right to a preliminary hearing and is being held by the U.S. Marshals Service. A detention hearing is scheduled for June 5.
U.S. intelligence agency employees are supposed to undergo rigorous background checks covering education, previous employment, travel, and personal associations, according to the affidavit.
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