David Rush CIA: Former Officer Found Guilty of Leaking Classified Surveillance Documents
WASHINGTON D.C. – A federal jury on Tuesday, October 15, 2025, convicted David Rush, a former Central Intelligence Agency targeting officer, on charges of unauthorized disclosure of national defense information. The verdict, delivered in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, followed a two-week trial in which prosecutors argued the 39-year-old Langley, Virginia, resident leaked highly sensitive details from the CIA’s covert action and signals intelligence programs. According to official testimony, Rush removed classified documents from a secure facility in April 2024, transmitting them via encrypted messaging to a foreign national. The leak, which occurred between July 2024 and January 2025, allegedly exposed specific methodologies for cyber operations. In a statement, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Abigail Harris said the defendant’s actions created a direct threat to intelligence gathering capabilities. Sentencing is scheduled for December 10, where Rush faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.