Former Federal Employee Pleads Guilty to Defrauding U.S. Government of $194 Million

According to court documents, Rush was employed in a senior executive-level position with a federal agency and held a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance. He reached that position, in part, by lying about his education and military experience. Rush used his position of extraordinary public trust to create fictitious government authorities – including a fabri…

“Our Intelligence Community must have the trust of the American people to operate effectively in a Nation committed to transparency and the rule of law,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Rush repeatedly betrayed that trust. He defrauded the United States out of approximately $194 million in real estate, jewelry, and other valuable property, including 298 g…

On May 19, 2026, the FBI searched Rush’s residence and recovered 298 gold bars, approximately $2,106,550 in cash, €104,795, and numerous luxury watches.

He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, forfeiture, restitution, and a fine.

Rush had obtained the gold bars at an approximate cost to the government of $46 million.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Rush has agreed to forfeit the gold bars and currency found at his home, the fraudulently obtained properties, 30 watches (many of which were Rolexes), and two 2026 BMW Alpina vehicles, at least one of which is valued at approximately $172,000.

Once he received the funds, Rush acquired gold bars and directed approximately $145 million in wire transfers that he ultimately used to purchase luxury real estate, watches, and at least one car.

Rush fraudulently obtained approximately $193,590,400 in U.S. government funds.

Rush is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 28, 2027.