Former CIA officer seeks plea deal in gold bar case

A former Central Intelligence Agency officer who was arrested in May after investigators discovered 303 gold bars valued at about $40 million at his residence is working toward a plea agreement with federal prosecutors. The Justice Department and the defendant have reached a "plea agreement in principle" and have asked a judge to extend the deadline for filing an indictment.

"The parties need additional time to prepare the paperwork, including an agreed upon statement of facts," Assistant U.S. Attorney Raizza Ty and Rush’s lawyer Jessica Carmichael wrote in a joint filing. "A pre-indictment resolution promotes the public interest by conserving government and judicial resources."

The request seeks a 21-day extension, moving the deadline to Oct. 8, although Judge Leonie Brinkema had previously indicated she would not grant an extension beyond Sept. 17. Details of the proposed agreement have not been disclosed.

The investigation has also highlighted Rush’s past interactions with Defense Department official Steve Feinberg, after FBI-reviewed video showed the two at a Washington-area residence linked to the federal government. Feinberg has been interviewed by the FBI but has not been charged or placed under investigation.

Following Rush’s arrest, senior CIA officials were placed on administrative leave. Prosecutors allege Rush falsified pay records and misrepresented his background for nearly two decades while holding a senior position on classified programs. In addition to the gold bars, agents seized roughly $2 million in cash and 35 luxury watches from his home. Rush’s attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and the legal teams are bound by a protective order that limits disclosure of case details.