Former senior CIA officer accused of stealing gold bars : NPR
NPR • • nation
Key Points:
- David J. Rush, a former senior CIA official, was arrested after FBI agents seized over 300 gold bars valued at more than $40 million, approximately $2 million in cash, and 35 luxury watches from his Virginia home.
- Rush is charged with theft of public money and is accused of lying about his education and military service, including fabricating degrees from Clemson University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, which both schools confirmed he never attended.
- The CIA alerted the FBI after Rush made unusual requests for large quantities of gold bars and foreign currency starting in November, prompting an internal investigation that uncovered potential legal violations.
- The FBI affidavit alleges Rush made false statements on security background forms, filed fraudulent timecards, and fabricated military credentials, including claims of being a military pilot without proper evaluations or a pilot’s license.
- Rush remains in custody after his bond request was denied, with a detention hearing postponed to June 5, and the CIA’s inquiry into the matter is ongoing.