A former CIA officer accused of embezzling more than $40 million worth of gold bricks misused a highly classified intelligence system designed to protect some of America’s most sensitive operations, according to a report in The New York Times.David Rush was a former CIA officer who held a top-level security clearance and is accused of creating a fraudulent “special access program” and using it to obtain vast amounts of government-owned gold bars and foreign currency under the guise of official expenses.Between November 2025 and March this year, Rush requested millions of dollars worth of gold bars and large amounts of foreign currency, claiming they were needed for “work-related expenses.” Instead the properties were sent for their personal use.According to The New York Times, the fake program was presented as being related to “Continuity of Government Operations”, a term generally used for plans that allow the government to continue functioning during national emergencies, attacks or major disasters.Special access programs are generally reserved for highly sensitive intelligence projects and are subject to strict confidentiality rules. Sources familiar with the investigation told the NYT that Rush used the program’s secrecy to hide the movement of government assets and avoid investigation.He also included two of his colleagues in the program and asked them not to discuss it with others. One of them was persuaded to transfer large amounts of gold to the program through a fraudulent government contract.The plan came to light after a CIA internal investigation found possible misconduct and turned the case over to the FBI.In a joint statement, the CIA and FBI said: “After a CIA internal investigation identified potential violations of law, CIA Director John Ratcliffe referred the information to the FBI for law enforcement investigation.”When FBI agents searched Rush’s home in Auburn, Virginia on May 18, they found a cache of valuables.Agents recovered approximately 303 one-kilogram gold bars worth more than $40 million, approximately $2 million in cash and 35 luxury watches, including a Rolex. A criminal complaint filed in federal court in Virginia accuses Rush of theft of public funds.The allegations against him extend beyond the Gold Bar scheme. Rush spent years creating a false professional identity that allowed him to rapidly attain senior government positions. He falsely claimed to have academic qualifications and listed those credentials when applying for federal jobs and security clearances.Upon enlisting in 1997, Rush submitted false records to the U.S. Navy, claiming to have a university degree. This lie helped him obtain a commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 2004 before being discharged in 2015.During a recent court hearing, prosecutors described Rush as a “master manipulator” and alleged that he also posed as a doctor.