Former CIA official accused of stealing $40 million in gold bars

A former senior CIA official with top secret-level clearance has been accused of stealing hundreds of gold bars worth more than $40 million and stashing them in his home.

David Rush was arrested and charged with criminal theft of public money last week, court documents show, after more than 300 gold bars were seized from his home in Virginia earlier this month, Sky News reports. 

Officials also confiscated about $2 million in cash as well as dozens of luxury watches, according to an FBI affidavit.

The bureau, which is working with the CIA and US Department of Justice in its investigation, alleges that - from November to March - Rush requested and received a "significant quantity of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold bars for work-related expenses".

It claims Rush "knowingly embezzled, stole, purloined, or knowingly converted a thing of value of the United States" for his personal use, but that it remains unclear exactly what Rush intended to use the money for.

A portion of the funds were discovered in a storage space near his office, authorities said.

Rush is currently being held in custody pending a hearing in federal court in Alexandria on May 29. His lawyers are yet to comment.

By Sabina Mammadli