WASHINGTON — The CIA has put several senior officials on administrative leave over their handling of a high-ranking officer who allegedly had $40 million in gold bars stashed at his home, according to three people familiar with the decisions.
David Rush, a senior CIA officer who worked on one of the most highly sensitive programs in the U.S. government, was arrested in Virginia on May 19 and is accused of lying about his work experience and education. Rush is scheduled to appear in court Friday.
The agency placed the senior officials on leave over how they managed Rush’s requests for money or initial internal flags that his requests may not have been a legitimate part of his work, the people familiar with the decisions said. They did not know the number of CIA officials affected or when they were put on leave.
A spokesperson for the CIA declined to comment.
Rush’s attorney had no comment.
The fallout over Rush’s arrest has only grown following NBC News’ reporting last week revealing new details about the case, which has rattled lawmakers who are questioning how an agency that handles the nation’s most sensitive secrets allowed a man accused of lying about his bona fides into its upper ranks.
On Wednesday, officials from the CIA and other federal departments briefed lawmakers on Rush’s case, according to two people familiar with the briefing.
David Rush, a senior CIA officer who worked on one of the most highly sensitive programs in the U.S. government, was arrested in Virginia on May 19 and is accused of lying about his work experience and education. Rush is scheduled to appear in court Friday.
The agency placed the senior officials on leave over how they managed Rush’s requests for money or initial internal flags that his requests may not have been a legitimate part of his work, the people familiar with the decisions said. They did not know the number of CIA officials affected or when they were put on leave.
A spokesperson for the CIA declined to comment.
Rush’s attorney had no comment.
The fallout over Rush’s arrest has only grown following NBC News’ reporting last week revealing new details about the case, which has rattled lawmakers who are questioning how an agency that handles the nation’s most sensitive secrets allowed a man accused of lying about his bona fides into its upper ranks.
On Wednesday, officials from the CIA and other federal departments briefed lawmakers on Rush’s case, according to two people familiar with the briefing.
