David J. Rush, 49, a former CIA officer, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, to one count of wire fraud involving government funds, according to multiple reports. He faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing on Jan. 28, NBC News reported.
Prosecutors said Rush used fabricated government authorities and classified programs to obtain assets including hundreds of gold bars, Florida real estate, vehicles and watches. NBC News, the Washington Examiner and Daily Wire put the alleged fraud at about $194 million; the Washington Post reported $195 million, the BBC reported $200 million and the New York Times reported $145 million. NBC News said prosecutors also told the court that Rush revealed information about a secret U.S. intelligence source to a foreign official. The BBC reported that his plea agreement requires restitution and forfeiture of assets tied to the case.