CIA officer busted with gold bars has ties to Trump’s Deputy Defense Secretary.

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…

A veteran CIA officer arrested over the alleged hoarding of millions of dollars worth of gold bars has reportedly been linked to Stephen A. Feinberg, a senior Pentagon official in President Donald Trump’s administration.

According to reports by NBC News and The New York Times, David Rush previously worked with Feinberg, a billionaire businessman who currently serves as Deputy Secretary of Defense. Rush spent 17 years at the Central Intelligence Agency and held a senior role within the agency’s Directorate of Science and Technology.

The report centers on former CIA official David Rush, who was arrested after FBI agents allegedly found more than 300 gold bars worth over $40 million, about $2 million in cash, and dozens of luxury watches at his Virginia home. Prosecutors say he obtained the gold and foreign currency through requests he claimed were for official government operations.  

Recent reporting says Rush had a professional relationship with Steve Feinberg, who currently serves as Deputy Defense Secretary in President Donald Trump’s administration. According to reports citing sources familiar with the matter, Feinberg had mentored Rush and the two interacted through intelligence-related advisory work during and after Trump’s first administration. No public evidence has been presented that Feinberg is accused of wrongdoing in the case.  

Investigators have also accused Rush of falsifying parts of his military and educational background for years, including claims about degrees and military qualifications. The CIA referred the matter to the FBI after an internal investigation identified potential legal violations. Rush has been charged and remains under investigation, while additional charges could still be filed.  

For now, the publicly reported connection to Feinberg is described as a professional or mentoring relationship, not an allegation that Feinberg participated in the alleged theft.  

Recent reporting says Rush had a professional relationship with Steve Feinberg, who currently serves as Deputy Defense Secretary in President Donald Trump’s administration. According to reports citing sources familiar with the matter, Feinberg had mentored Rush and the two interacted through intelligence-related advisory work during and after Trump’s first administration. No public evidence has been presented that Feinberg is accused of wrongdoing in the case.  

Investigators have also accused Rush of falsifying parts of his military and educational background for years, including claims about degrees and military qualifications. The CIA referred the matter to the FBI after an internal investigation identified potential legal violations. Rush has been charged and remains under investigation, while additional charges could still be filed.  

For now, the publicly reported connection to Feinberg is described as a professional or mentoring relationship, not an allegation that Feinberg participated in the alleged theft.  

Reports indicate that Rush and Feinberg may have first crossed paths during Trump’s first term in office when both were associated with the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board. Feinberg served as chairman of the board, which advises the White House and intelligence agencies on intelligence-gathering matters. However, The New York Times reported that some officials said the two men were not considered close associates.

Rush was arrested earlier this month after the Federal Bureau of Investigation allegedly discovered more than $40 million worth of gold bars during a raid on his Virginia home. Federal authorities also claim they seized approximately $2 million in cash and several luxury watches, including Rolex timepieces.

According to court documents cited in reports, Rush has argued that the gold bars were connected to work-related expenses. The documents state that he requested and received large quantities of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold bars for official purposes.

Investigators reportedly began examining the matter after the CIA was unable to account for the location of the gold and cash, leading to the search of Rush’s residence. The case remains under investigation, and the allegations against Rush have yet to be tested in court.