Former Senior CIA Official Charged with Stealing $40 Million in Gold Bars

A former senior CIA official with top secret clearance was arrested last week and charged with stealing more than $40 million in gold bars from the federal government. Federal agents searched the man's home on May 18 and seized more than 300 gold bars, roughly $2 million in U.S. currency, and about 35 luxury watches, many of them Rolexes, according to an FBI affidavit filed in federal court in Virginia.

Court documents state that between November and March the official requested and received a significant quantity of foreign currency and tens of millions of dollars in gold bars for work-related expenses. A portion of the funds was later found in a storage space near his office.

The affidavit concludes there is probable cause to believe the official knowingly embezzled or converted property of the United States for personal use. The FBI said it worked with the CIA and the Department of Justice during the investigation.

Investigators also found that the official had falsely claimed for years to be a Navy pilot and to have graduated from Clemson University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Records show he enlisted in the Navy in 1997, served in the reserves until 2015 as a lieutenant, and did not attend either university.

The official is being held pending a hearing Friday in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. His lawyer declined to comment. Spokespersons for the FBI declined further comment, and the CIA did not respond to an inquiry.