David Rush, a seasoned CIA officer, was arrested recently for possessing over $40 million in gold bars at his residence. Before his arrest on May 18, Rush worked alongside Stephen A. Feinberg, now serving as the deputy secretary of defense, according to accounts from current and former US officials.
Rush, aged 49, had a 17-year tenure with the CIA, holding a senior position within the Directorate of Science and Technology. Officials indicate that while Rush and Feinberg had contact on the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board, they were not particularly close.
Feinberg, founder of Cerberus Capital Management, chaired the advisory board during Donald Trump’s presidency. The board advises the White House and intelligence agencies, with a focus on intelligence gathering.
Officials claim that despite Rush’s and Feinberg’s infrequent interactions, Feinberg was notably interested in the CIA’s technological advancements and the Directorate of Science and Technology during his advisory role and subsequent Pentagon appointment.
The circumstances behind Rush’s possession of the gold bars remain unclear. Former officials suggest Rush must have been involved in a covert program to access such wealth. Investigators have asserted that neither Feinberg nor the Pentagon were tied to Rush’s actions regarding the gold bars.
The Pentagon has not commented, and the CIA has also remained silent on the matter. NBC News had earlier reported Rush’s connection to Feinberg.
Rush is currently detained, accused of public fund theft through fraudulent time sheet submissions. Court documents also allege he exaggerated his academic background and lied about work history, raising more questions than answers.
Between November and March, Rush requested and obtained millions in gold bars and foreign currency for purported “work-related expenses.” A CIA audit failed to trace the gold and currency, leading to an FBI search of Rush’s home, where they uncovered 303 gold bars, each weighing approximately 2.2 pounds.
Julian E. Barnes, a reporter on US intelligence and international security for The Times, has extensive experience covering security subjects. Mark Mazzetti, an investigative reporter in Washington, D.C., focuses on national security, intelligence, and foreign affairs, with a published work on the CIA.