Plea agreement hearing set for ex-CIA officer found with gold bars

WASHINGTON — A plea agreement hearing in federal court has been set for Tuesday in the case of an ex-CIA officer found with 303 gold bars worth $40 million at his home, according to court records.

David Rush, who has been accused of faking his lengthy professional record, has only formally been charged with one count of theft of public funds, accused of falsifying pay records. But two people familiar with the investigation have told NBC News that Rush is also accused of making up a false CIA program. Investigators believe there is likely more money or other items missing beyond what was seized by federal officials at his home, four people familiar with the investigation told NBC News.

Rush was placed on leave sometime before his arrest and eventually fired from the CIA. Court records show that the hearing Tuesday afternoon has been set before U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff in Alexandria, Virginia.

A plea agreement would allow the government to avoid a lengthy trial that could bring further attention to any mistakes the CIA made in the process and prevent the disclosure of additional information on the agency’s operations.

Rush has not yet entered a plea and has…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business