Federal prosecutors have reached a tentative plea agreement with a former intelligence official accused of stealing hundreds of gold bars from the U.S. spy agency and concealing them in his private residence, court filings indicate.
David Rush, a veteran former CIA employee who worked in the organization’s science and technology division, entered into a “plea agreement in principle” along with federal prosecutors. The parties motioned to extend the current September 17 deadline for three weeks through October 8 to allow sufficient time to prepare necessary documentation and statements of fact, noting that a pre‑indictment resolution advances the public interest by preserving government and judicial resources.
In a joint filing co‑authored by Assistant U.S. Attorney Raizza Ty and Rush’s defense counsel, Jessica Carmichael, the attorneys emphasized that additional time is required to compile the required paperwork and settle the dispute before an indictment is formally issued.
The FBI affidavit states that Rush was dismissed after allegedly extracting 303 bullion bars—each weighing approximately 2.2 lb (1 kg)—along with over $2 million in foreign currency from his government office. Subsequent searches of his Virginia home uncovered 35 luxury timepieces, including multiple Rolexes.
Policing authorities arrested him on May 19, charging him with theft of public funds while alleging that he falsified his educational credentials and military service to secure his position and submitted bogus time cards for unearned $77,000 in military leave compensation.
Following his confinement, investigators uncovered a fabricated classified program under which Rush requested the stolen gold bars and foreign money as “work‑related expenses.” He also allegedly misrepresented his academic background and service record on numerous employment applications, falsely claiming he had previously served as a navy pilot.
Kept in custody due to flight‑risk assessments, the 17‑year veteran spent his time in detention while the case progressed toward negotiation of the preliminary agreement.
