Rush spent $102 million on four Florida properties, including two homes and a parcel in Palm Beach. (Photo: Alexandria’s Sheriff’s Office/Getty Images) Prosecutors say former CIA official David J.
A former high-ranking federal employee from Virginia has admitted to defrauding the US government of approximately $193.6 million, with court documents revealing that $102 million was used to purchase four properties in Palm Beach and Hobe Sound, Florida.
Rush, 49, of Ashburn, Virginia, pleaded guilty to wire fraud on October 6 in federal court in Alexandria, according to the US Department of Justice. Between November 2025 and March 2026, Rush directed approximately $145 million to a holding company established at his direction, according to court documents. Of that amount, approximately $102 million was used to acquire four Florida properties. The gold bars had cost the government approximately $46 million, according to prosecutors. The Justice Department said Rush fraudulently obtained approximately $193.6 million in government funds. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud, along with possible restitution, forfeiture and a fine.
Prosecutors said Rush exploited his senior government position and Top Secret security clearance to create fictitious government authorities and divert federal funds for his personal benefit. Court filings show that the properties purchased with the money included two homes in Palm Beach, a parcel of land in the same area and another parcel in Hobe Sound, according to a report by CBS Miami. Rush created a fictitious “sensitive government activity” to justify the acquisition of hundreds of gold bars, according to the Justice Department.
David J. The alleged fraud extended beyond real estate.