A former senior CIA official, David J Rush, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in Virginia to charges of abusing his position and government funds to enrich himself. Rush acquired Florida real estate and hundreds of gold bars worth tens of millions of dollars, according to court records.
Details of the Case
Rush fabricated a "highly classified" government program to justify the acquisition of luxury property in south Florida, intending to resell it for personal profit. He also concocted a bogus "sensitive government activity" to obtain the gold bars.
Prosecutors allege that Rush lied to colleagues and government contractors about his military and academic credentials, falsely claiming that his fabricated program was authorized by high-ranking US officials.
“"Rush used his legitimate government authority and manufactured personal bona fides to create confidence in his directions," the court filing states.
Rush pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud during a hearing in Alexandria, Virginia. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff is scheduled to sentence Rush on 28 January.
Allegations of Fraud
Several months prior to his plea, Rush attempted to fraudulently authorize the release of $100 million from a government contract. He directed someone else to transfer approximately $145 million to a holding company he formed, using those funds to acquire four luxury properties in Palm Beach and Hobe Sound, Florida.
