A former CIA officer arrested after authorities discovered roughly $40 million worth of gold bars in his Virginia residence pleaded guilty in federal court to a single count of wire fraud, admitting he defrauded the U.S. government out of nearly $200 million for personal enrichment. David Rush was previously described by prosecutors as a master manipulator who utilized his clandestine position to amass millions in gold bars and luxury watches. However, during the hearing, prosecutors revealed that the true extent of his deception significantly exceeded what was previously disclosed to the public. The nearly $200 million in payments dwarfs earlier figures released in the case and is expected to increase congressional scrutiny regarding how the intelligence community monitors taxpayer funds distributed to agents. According to a summary of the plea agreement provided by a senior Department of Justice prosecutor, Rush carried out two distinct criminal schemes by fabricating Special Access Programs. These fabrications convinced senior officials to authorize payments totaling over $190 million for his own benefit. In the first scheme, prosecutors stated that Rush received approximately $145 million to purchase luxury real estate properties in Palm Beach, Florida, which he planned to renovate and flip for a profit. Portions of these funds were also spent on luxury vehicles and watches, while Rush falsely claimed he had high-level clearance from the Trump administration. The second scheme involved the fabrication of a separate program that led officials to approve 298 gold bars for him. Rush falsely claimed the gold had been distributed until approximately $46.4 million worth of the metal was discovered during a search of his home in May. Furthermore, Rush admitted to fraudulently seeking compensation for about $1.8 million in personal charter flights. During Tuesday’s proceedings, prosecutors also disclosed that Rush once shared top-secret information with a foreign government official regarding the identity of a U.S. clandestine source, though officials did not identify the foreign government or his motives. CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated that the agency immediately referred the matter to the FBI following an internal investigation. Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized that federal employees are entrusted with serving the public rather than themselves. Rush has remained in government custody since his arrest in May and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, alongside an agreement to pay $195 million in restitution. Sentencing has been scheduled for January 28.
Source: abcnews.com
