A former CIA officer, David Rush, has pleaded guilty to defrauding the US government in a $200m scam involving fake contracts, luxury real estate and gold bars.
Rush, 49, also admitted providing classified information to an unauthorised foreign government official, a disclosure prosecutors said could have caused “grave damage” to US national security.
Authorities arrested Rush after a search of his home uncovered 298 gold bars, about $2m in cash and 35 luxury watches.
According to court filings, Rush repeatedly requested large amounts of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold between November 2025 and March 2026, claiming they were needed for official work.
Prosecutors said he fabricated a highly classified programme to justify purchasing luxury properties in South Florida, which he planned to resell for personal profit.
He allegedly used government funds to buy the properties, including spending $40,000 on kitchen appliances for one of them.
The wire fraud charge relates to a $45m transfer Rush initiated in January 2026.
Prosecutors also said Rush disclosed the existence and description of a clandestine human source to a foreign official who was not authorised to receive the information.
They warned that the disclosure could endanger the source and US government officers working with the individual.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe said Rush had “abused his position and betrayed the public trust” and should be held accountable.
Under the plea deal, Rush must forfeit the gold bars, cash, luxury watches, two BMW vehicles, nearly $39m seized from his bank account and luxury real estate linked to the fraud.
A federal judge is expected to sentence him on January 28.
The wire fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, although prosecutors said additional penalties could apply under federal law.
Rush previously worked as a senior executive in a US government agency and held top-secret security clearance.
US media have confirmed that he worked for the CIA’s Directorate of Science and Technology, which develops advanced intelligence tools.
He had also previously been accused of falsely claiming military service and educational qualifications when applying for his CIA job in 2009.
Prosecutors have said a significant amount of the allegedly stolen money remains unaccounted for, although Rush’s lawyer has disputed the claim.
