Ex-CIA officer charged with stealing gold from government

A former senior government employee in Virginia was arrested and charged with criminal theft of public money. Court documents allege that between November 2025 and March, he requested and received a significant quantity of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold bars for work-related expenses. Investigators say it is unclear what he intended to use the funds for, but some of the materials were found in a storage space near his office. A search of his home on May 18 resulted in the seizure of more than 300 gold bars valued at over $40 million, about $2 million in foreign currency, and roughly 35 luxury watches, many Rolexes. The affidavit states probable cause that he knowingly embezzled, stole, purloined, or converted a thing of value of the United States for personal use.

"Between November 2025 and March this year, the man requested and received a "significant quantity of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold bars for work-related expenses," an affidavit from an FBI agent investigating the case alleges. It says it's unclear what he intended to use the funds for, but that a portion of it was found in a storage space near his office."

"When federal officials then searched his home on May 18, they seized more than 300 gold bars with an estimated value of more than $40 million (roughly 35 million). The affidavit says they also seized foreign currency worth roughly $2 million and some 35 luxury watches, many of them Rolexes."

"While investigators don't say what the accused planned to do with the materials, the affidavit concludes that there is probable cause to believe that he "knowingly embezzled, stole, purloined, or knowingly converted a thing of value of the United States" for his personal use."

"The affidavit does not detail the suspect's role at the CIA but describes him as a "former senior executive service-level employee at a United States government agency" referring to the highest tier of civilian leaders in the organization, where top secret-level clearance is generally mandatory."

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