A former CIA officer, David Rush, who was arrested in May after investigators discovered 303 gold bars valued at $40 million, $2 million in U.S. currency, and 35 luxury watches at his home, is finalizing a plea deal with federal prosecutors. Rush and the Justice Department have reached a "plea agreement in principle," and are seeking a 21-day extension from the court to October 8 to prepare the necessary paperwork, including an agreed-upon statement of facts. This pre-indictment resolution is expected to conserve government and judicial resources.
Rush currently faces a single charge of theft of public funds, accused of falsifying pay records. The case has not yet been presented to a federal grand jury. Details of the working plea agreement are not yet publicly available due to a protective order that bars lawyers from sharing sensitive information. Judge Leonie Brinkema had previously set a deadline of September 17, and the request for an extension pushes past her self-imposed limit.
The case has also drawn attention to Rush's relationship with Steve Feinberg, the second-highest official at the Defense Department. The FBI reviewed video showing Rush and Feinberg at a U.S. Government-linked residence in the Washington region, and Feinberg has been interviewed by the FBI, though he is not accused of wrongdoing. Following Rush's arrest, the CIA placed senior officials on leave. Rush allegedly lied about his background for nearly two decades while holding a high-ranking position within the agency, working on sensitive government programs.
