Plea deal talks underway for former CIA official found with $40 million in gold bars

The U.S. Justice Department is pursuing a tentative plea deal with David Rush, a former CIA official discovered with over $40 million in gold bars at his home. According to court filings from Friday, prosecutors and Rush's defense attorney have requested that a federal district court in Virginia extend the deadline for an indictment until October 8. Both parties stated that a pre-indictment resolution serves the public interest by conserving judicial resources and avoiding complex litigation involving classified material. In May, the FBI executed a search warrant at Rush's Virginia residence, seizing 303 gold bars, $2 million in cash, and 35 luxury watches. The initial criminal complaint charges Rush with timesheet fraud and providing false information regarding his education and military service. Investigators allege that after his honorable discharge from the Navy in 2015, Rush fraudulently claimed 744 hours of military leave, resulting in approximately $77,000 in illicit compensation. Furthermore, the FBI claims Rush requested and received large quantities of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold bars for work-related expenses, for which his employer could not identify any legitimate use. A federal judge ordered Rush to remain in custody in June, citing him as a significant flight risk.