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WASHINGTON — A CIA officer charged with stealing tens of millions of dollars’ worth in gold bars and stashing them at his Virginia home pleaded guilty to defrauding the federal government on Tuesday.
David Rush, 49, entered the guilty plea in federal court after copping to having fraudulently obtained nearly $194 million by abusing his position to handle top secret matters at the agency.
“Federal employees are entrusted with serving the American people, not themselves,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche in a statement. “The Trump Administration is committed to rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government, including by prosecuting those who foolishly defraud American taxpayers.”
Prosecutors alleged that Rush, who served in the senior executive-level position and held a top secret security clearance, lied about his education and military experience before entering the CIA — and eventually faked an entire program to pilfer government funds.
Rush obtained 298 gold bars and also oversaw a total of $145 million in wire transfers that ended up being used to purchase fine watches, luxury real estate and cars.
Before being indicted, the CIA had conducted an internal investigation into the movement of the funds and referred the matter to the FBI.
Agency director John Ratcliffe said in a statement that Rush “abused his position and betrayed the public trust and should be held fully accountable for his actions.”
