US arrests ex-CIA official with $40m in gold at home
FBI officers also seized $2 million (about sh7.5 billion) in cash and around 35 luxury watches this month from the home of David Rush in the US state of Virginia, according to court documents.
Federal Bureau of Investigation headquarters logo is seen in Washington DC, United States on February 20, 2026. (AFP)
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WASHINGTON — The United States has arrested a former senior CIA official after a search found $40 million (about sh151 billion) worth of gold bars at his home.
FBI officers also seized $2 million (about sh7.5 billion) in cash and around 35 luxury watches this month from the home of David Rush in the US state of Virginia, according to court documents.
The New York Times reported on Wednesday that he was a former senior CIA official, quoting people familiar with the investigation.
He also filled out fraudulent time sheets and obtained $77,000 in military leave pay by falsely claiming he was a member of the navy reserves, according to the affidavit.
The document describes Rush as a former senior employee at a US government agency with top secret clearance and access to classified information.
He was arrested on May 19 and charged with theft of government money.
A lawyer for Rush declined to comment to the Times.
From last November to this March, Rush made several requests to his employer for "a significant quantity of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold bars for work-related expenses."
The affidavit says that Rush received the cash and gold, without giving further information on why he needed them.