Former CIA top man found to be corrupt: $40 million in gold bars, $2 million and 35 luxury watches found

©David Trinks via Unsplash

The FBI detained David Rush, a former high-ranking employee at the US intelligence agency CIA. During a search of his Virginia home, 303 gold bars of one kilogram each were found, worth about $40 million (€34 million), in addition to $2 million in cash and 35 luxury watches, mostly Rolex models.

According to court documents, Rush accumulated this wealth between November and March, under the guise of "work-related expenses." Why he needed such a fortune remains unclear. When the CIA could not trace the gold, it called in the FBI. According to a joint message from the CIA and FBI to The New York Times, an internal CIA investigation led to the identification of possible law violations, after which CIA Director John Ratcliffe called in the FBI.

Officially, Rush is in jail for stealing public money by fraudulently completing hourly records, not for the discovery of the gold itself. He allegedly received tens of thousands of dollars in military allowances without being entitled to them. On his application, he also claimed to be a naval pilot, but military records show he never underwent a pilot evaluation. He also claimed to have degrees from Clemson University and Rensselaer Institute. However, neither university knows the man at all.

Anonymous sources confirm that Rush held a top position with access to high-security information and material. No one would comment on his exact duties at the CIA.

©David Trinks via Unsplash - FBI logo illustration image