David Rush, a 49-year-old senior CIA officer, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, after admitting he exposed a secret U.S. source to a foreign official. U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff approved the plea deal, and Rush now faces up to 20 years in prison at his sentencing scheduled for January 28, 2027.
DOJ officials stated that Rush secretly diverted $194 million in government funds through an elaborate scheme for maximum self-enrichment, utilizing his position in the CIA's Directorate of Science and Technology. In the plea document, Rush conceded that he disclosed descriptive information in late 2025 regarding a clandestine human source, endangering lives and threatening America's ability to recruit future sources.
Rush has remained in custody since his May 19, 2026 arrest, which followed federal discoveries that he had lied about his education and military service. During a search of his home, investigators seized approximately 298 gold bars weighing about 600 pounds, $2 million in U.S. currency, and 35 luxury watches.