WASHINGTON — A former CIA officer who was arrested in May with more than 303 gold bars worth $40 million at his home is working to finalize a plea deal with federal prosecutors that could help keep the case shrouded in mystery.David Rush and the Justice Department have a “plea agreement in principle,” the parties said Friday, and are asking a judge to extend a forthcoming deadline for the case to be indicted.Rush had only formally been charged with one count of theft of public funds, accused of falsifying pay records in a case that was presented by criminal complaint and has not yet been presented to a federal grand jury.“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 attorney Jessica Carmichael wrote in a joint filing.“A pre-indictment resolution promotes the public interest by conserving government and judicial resources.”They are asking for a 21-day extension, through October 8.
Judge Leonie Brinkema had previously said there would be no extension past her self-imposed deadline of Sept.17.
Details of the working plea agreement are not yet available.More on the David Rush investigationCIA officer’s arrest with 303 gold bars thrusts the Pentagon’s No.2 into an unwelcome spotlightCIA officer accused of stealing gold bars was no low-level agentCIA officer arrested with gold bars worked on Pentagon’s nuclear sub program, sources sayCIA officer arrested with gold bars accused of making up top secret program, sources sayBefore arrest with 303 gold bars, CIA officer spun tale he was Top Gun fighter pilotThe case against Rush has brought a spotlight to his relationship with the no.
2 official at the Defense Department, Steve Feinberg, as NBC News reported this week.The FBI reviewed video showing Rush and Feinberg at a residence in the Washington region that is linked to the U.S.
Government, according to four people familiar with the video.Fein...