Ex-CIA official found with gold bars admits to sprawling scheme, agrees to forfeit $194 million

Updated on: October 6, 2026 / 3:25 PM EDT / CBS News

Washington — A former CIA official who was found with $40 million in gold bars in his home in May pleaded guilty on Tuesday, admitting he invented fake classified programs to divert nearly $200 million in government money that he used to buy Florida mansions and gold.

David Rush entered a guilty plea on a single count of wire fraud during a hearing in federal court in Virginia.

As part of his plea agreement, Rush agreed to forfeit at least $194 million, including 298 gold bars, two BMWs, 35 luxury watches and four luxury homes in Florida. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

In a filing known as a criminal information detailing the allegations Rush admitted to, prosecutors said he invented a fake classified program to steer $145 million in government funds through a front company, using the money to purchase the homes in Florida that he intended to resell for profit. Separately, he "fabricated a separate purported sensitive government activity to justify the acquisition of gold bars," prosecutors said.

"Although the real estate and gold acquisitions involved different transactions and intermediaries, they were executions of…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/