Former CIA Official Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud, Embezzling Millions in Government Funds
A former senior CIA official, David J. Rush, has pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in Virginia. Rush is accused of abusing his position and government funds to enrich himself, fabricating a 'highly classified' government program to justify the acquisition of luxury property in South Florida for personal profit. He also concocted a bogus 'sensitive government activity' to obtain gold bars. The Justice Department estimates Rush's fraudulent conduct cost the federal government approximately $194 million in total losses, including over $1.8 million for privately chartered flights he authorized for personal use at government expense. Under questioning, Rush admitted to providing a foreign government official with information about a secret U.S. government source. Prosecutors also allege Rush lied about his military and academic credentials to colleagues and contractors, falsely claiming authorization from high-ranking U.S. officials for his invented program. Rush, 49, of Ashburn, Virginia, faces a maxim...