The U.S. Department of Justice said a former CIA officer pleaded guilty to wire fraud for running a fabricated top-secret program that siphoned more than $190 million from the government. David J. Rush, a Virginia resident, admitted to creating the fake operation while serving at the agency, according to prosecutors.
Rush lied about his education and military experience to gain his CIA position, then used his access to establish a special access program—a classification reserved for highly sensitive intelligence operations. Court filings describe him as effectively acting as his own approving official, enabling him to spend substantial government funds without meaningful oversight. The scheme was disguised as a continuity-of-government plan, and Rush used a bogus contract to trick an unnamed defense contractor into buying gold bars that he pocketed.
At his arrest, law enforcement found more than $46 million in gold bars, along with cars, watches, and over $2 million in cash. The plea deal means Rush avoids trial, and the government likely avoids explaining in open court how he passed vetting and why the fraud continued for more than a year. Sentencing is scheduled for late January 2027, with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.