You might remember the story of CIA senior officer David J. Rush, 49, of Ashburn, Virginia, who was indicted after an FBI investigation found gold bars, cash in dollars and euros as well as luxury cars and dozens of luxury watches.
Today the DOJ announced that Rush has plead guilty {pdf SEE HERE} in a deal where he will admit to one count of wire fraud, and that will permit the DOJ to finish prosecuting the case without revealing extremely sensitive information about the CIA operations Rush was involved in.
Rush stands accused of manipulating more than $195 million in wire transfers to his own accounts, after setting up covert fake CIA operations centered around unknown foreign intelligence efforts. When you read the plea agreement that stipulates the facts of his activity, it certainly sounds like David Rush was able to execute the fraud under the auspices of Ukraine operations.
To be clear, there’s no mention of Ukraine, but the scale of the money involved, the timing of the activity, the location of the real estate and the attributes of the money and gold (as described) sound very Ukrainian-ish.
DOJ PRESS RELEASE – […] On May 19, 2026, the FBI searched Rush’s residence and recovered 298 gold bars, approximately $2,106,550 in cash, €104,795, and numerous luxury watches. Rush had obtained the gold bars at an approximate cost to the government of $46 million. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Rush has agreed to forfeit the gold bars and currency found at his home, the fraudulently obtained properties, 30 watches (many of which were Rolexes), and two 2026 BMW Alpina vehicles, at least one of which is valued at approximately $172,000.
Rush is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 28, 2027. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, forfeiture, restitution, and a fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. (much more)
In addition to the theft, schemes and fraud, inside the plea document Rush admitted that in late 2025 he disclosed “certain descriptive information of a U.S. government clandestine human source” that could “endanger the safety and life of a CIA human source and the U.S. government officers working with the source,” as well as jeopardize America’s “ability to recruit human sources, who rely on the U.S. government’s assurance of absolute secrecy.”
This guy was so deep inside covert (sketchy) CIA stuff, the DOJ dropped a bazillion other charge options and gave him a plea deal for a single count of wire fraud.
Cash and gold bars recovered in search of Rush’s residence
He will get 5 years for not naming names.
Who watches the watchmen? Apparently no one util the stolen funds and gold bars reaches $50 million, that must be the threshold? Below that there’s no interest in prosecuting? Small potatoes? The Somalis have figured that out! What’s a few stolen million dollars to the Feds?
If there was ever a raging piece of human trash who deserved a public execution Rush would be it
OTG I like the energy. Maybe a vest for the gold bars and a diving lesson in an aquarium at lunchtime.
Reportedly, back in the day Aztecs executed at least one conquistador by pouring molten gold down his throat as punishment for their lust for gold.
As though we didn’t already know why we kept sending money to Ukraine.
He missed being a boomer by 12 years for those with the….. “It’s the Boomer’s fault” mindset.
Asset forfeiture is going to fill pockets in certain agencies on this.
This photo is staged just like what they did to PDJT and the Pelican Handgun cases with the neatly arranged gold bars would not stay like that in a 6 inch case if shut and picked up let alone them cases weighing over 60lbs apiece.
Can’t read any identification on any of the bars is completely sketchy as to where they originated from.
What a dummy. He should’ve buried most of that crap in certain areas.
Looks like he would’ve gotten away with the bootie.
Couple years jail time.
I wonder how much they didn’t recover.
David J. Rush is most definitely not the only fellow involved in this type of scheme.
“To be clear, there’s no mention of Ukraine, but the scale of the money involved, the timing of the activity, the location of the real estate and the attributes of the money and gold (as described) sound very Ukrainian-ish.”
I find that an extremely plausible premise. The guy is literally creating his own self-contained operations and the officers in the DDO above him are letting him do it. Some gig, eh?
Probably getting a cut for looking the other way. Isn’t that how it works?
“Nice side hustle you got there… Would be a shame if something happened to it.”
Looks like a drop in the gargantuan Ukrainian bucket. There must be hundreds like this joker Rush, they just haven’t turned over enough rocks to see them slither away. So. Much. Fraud.
When you look this up on grok they also talk about how he just faked his credentials for jobs in the CIA and/or the navy!!
Until Ratcliffe shows up in the story nothing seems to ever have been checked out. Astonishing?
On a positive note, I received my Obamacare ripoff refund check today. $500 x 2! Thanks President Trump! At least we have one honest man in government.
Gubmint gangsters, liars & thieves.
I’m shocked I say… & here’s my shocked face 😑