ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A former senior federal intelligence official who prosecutors say lied about his education and military service to reach a top-secret post has pleaded guilty to $193.6 million scheme that netted him nearly $193.6 million in government money, according to court documents, officials announced Tuesday.
David J. Rush, 49, of Ashburn, Virginia, pleaded guilty today to executing a scheme to defraud the federal government relating to the misuse of his government position, resulting in a loss of approximately $194 million.
He held a senior executive-level job at a federal agency and a top secret/sensitive compartmented information clearance, court documents say. News organizations have identified the agency as the CIA.
Prosecutors said Rush used his position to create fake government authorities, including a made-up special access program, to get federal money for his own use. He then bought gold bars and directed about $145 million in wire transfers. He used that money to buy luxury real estate, watches and at least one car.
FBI agents searched Rush’s home May [18] and recovered 298 gold bars, about $2.1 million in cash, 104,795 euros and many luxury watches. The gold bars had cost the government about $46 million.
Under the plea agreement, Rush will forfeit the gold bars, the cash and euros, the properties he bought with the money, 30 watches, many of them Rolexes, and two 2026 BMW Alpina vehicles. At least one of the cars is worth about $172,000.
Sentencing is set for Jan. 28, 2027. Rush faces up to 20 years in prison.
QUICK FACT CHECKLIST
| Item | Finding |
|---|---|
| Full name | ✅ David J. Rush, 49, of Ashburn, Virginia. |
| CIA affiliation | ✅ AP identifies him as a former senior CIA official. Attribute that identification to AP. |
| Guilty plea | ✅ Pleaded guilty Oct. 6 to one count of wire fraud. |
| Total fraud | ✅ DOJ reports approximately $193.6 million. |
| Gold bars | ✅ Use 298, the figure in DOJ’s plea announcement. Earlier reporting cited 303. |
| Cash | ✅ DOJ reports about $2.1 million in U.S. currency, plus €104,795. |
| Watches | ✅ The plea agreement requires forfeiture of 30 watches, many Rolexes. |
| Fake program | ✅ DOJ says Rush fabricated a Special Access Program to obtain government funds for personal use. |
| Résumé lies | ✅ DOJ confirms false claims about education and military experience. He did serve in the Navy; avoid suggesting his entire military history was invented. |