WASHINGTON — Federal agents seized more than $40 million worth of gold bars, about $2 million in cash, and dozens of luxury watches from the Virginia home of a former senior U.S. official earlier this month, according to court documents unsealed this week.
The criminal complaint identified the suspect as David Rush, a former government official who held a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation said the investigation began after Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe referred the matter following an internal agency review.
According to the complaint, Rush requested large amounts of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold bars between November 2025 and March 2026, claiming the assets were needed for work-related activities.
Investigators later searched a storage area connected to Rush’s office and found only part of the funds that had been requested. Authorities said government records did not show how the missing assets had been used.
Federal agents searched Rush’s home on May 18 and seized 303 gold bars, approximately $2 million in cash, and 35 luxury watches. Investigators said each gold bar weighed about one kilogram, placing the estimated value of the gold at more than $40 million based on current market prices.
Rush has been charged with one count of theft of public money.
The complaint also accused Rush of making false statements in security clearance applications and updates. Investigators alleged he falsely claimed to hold the rank of captain in the Navy Reserve and improperly received hundreds of hours of military leave despite having been discharged in 2015 as a lieutenant.
The FBI said it is continuing to work with the CIA and the United States Department of Justice as the investigation proceeds.
