TRUE

Hi there! It turns out this claim is TRUE. David Rush, a former senior CIA official, is accused of creating a fake 'black-box' spy program to defraud the government 16. This sham was designed as a highly secretive operation—essentially a special access program—meaning that even other officials with top-secret clearances could not access its details without specific, additional authorization 124. By using this 'black box' as a cover, Rush allegedly stole hundreds of gold bars worth more than $40 million 45. He has since been arrested and charged with theft of public money and lying about his credentials 37.