A former senior official of the United States Central Intelligence Agency, David Rush, has pleaded guilty to fraud after allegedly obtaining $193m through a fictitious government programme.
Rush, 49, was arrested in May after US authorities found 298 gold bars worth over $45m and $2m cash at his Virginia residence.
Prosecutors said the former CIA official, who held a top-secret security clearance, created a fake classified programme to obtain government funds and allegedly used the proceeds to acquire gold bars, Rolex watches, jewellery, luxury vehicles and properties in Florida.
The prosecutors also accused Rush of creating another fictitious government activity to justify the purchase of the gold bars.
According to court documents, Rush allegedly disclosed top-secret information about a US clandestine human source to a foreign government official in 2025.
The identity of the foreign official was not disclosed.
Rush was also accused of falsifying details about his educational and professional background before joining the CIA, including a claim that he had served as a US military pilot.
He is expected to be sentenced on January 28 and faces up to 20 years in prison.
Ex-CIA official pleads guilty to $193m fraud
