US spy found with $40m in gold bars pleads guilty to wire fraud
A former CIA officer has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after being caught with $40 million in gold bars. He admitted to running a $200 million scam involving fake government contracts and compromising national security by revealing a clandestine source.
Why it matters
The case highlights a significant breach of national security and public trust within the US intelligence community.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Max Matza Alexandria Sheriff's Office A former CIA officer who was arrested after authorities found hundreds of gold bars stashed in his home has admitted to defrauding the US government in a sprawling $200m (£151m) scam involving fake contracts and real estate.
David Rush, 49, is required to pay restitution to the government and forfeit luxury real estate, cars, watches and other assets tied to his crime as part of the plea deal.
Rush also confessed to providing secrets to a foreign government, which could have caused "grave damage" to national security.
"The defendant will plead guilty because the defendant is in fact guilty of the charged offense," prosecutors stated in a court filing outlining the plea deal.
The BBC has contacted Rush's lawyer, who declined to comment.
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