Ex-CIA Official Arrested Over Missing Gold

A former senior CIA official, identified as David Rush, has been arrested in the United States after investigators allegedly discovered gold bars worth about $40 million at his home in Virginia.

According to court documents, FBI agents also recovered approximately $2 million in cash and around 35 luxury watches during a search carried out earlier this month.

Reports from the New York Times identified Rush as a former high-ranking CIA employee who previously held top secret security clearance and access to classified information.

The investigation reportedly uncovered several fraudulent activities linked to the former official. Authorities alleged that David Rush provided false information about his academic qualifications and military service while applying for government employment.

Investigators claimed he lied about obtaining university degrees and falsely stated that he served as a Navy pilot. The affidavit also accused him of submitting fake time sheets and unlawfully collecting about $77,000 in military leave payments by pretending to be a member of the Navy Reserves.

The former CIA official was arrested on May 19 and charged with theft of government funds.

According to the affidavit, Rush requested large amounts of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold bars between November last year and March this year for what he described as work-related expenses.

Authorities said the gold and cash later disappeared from a storage facility connected to his workplace, prompting the FBI investigation and eventual search of his residence.

During the operation, agents reportedly discovered about 303 gold bars valued at more than $40 million.

A lawyer representing David Rush declined to comment on the allegations when contacted by the New York Times.