Faux fighter pilots & gold bars: cia officer's tale takes dark turn

David Rush's story was one of daring and deception. A decorated Navy pilot, he claimed to have flown F-14 Tomcats over Iraq and Afghanistan, ejecting from two and landing a third with the cockpit engulfed in flames. His humble demeanor and incredible tales of valor earned him respect among his firefighter colleagues.

Fabrications unravel, con revealed

But Rush's past was far from heroic. The CIA officer, who served about 17 years, stands accused of creating a fake top-secret intelligence program to siphon government funds for personal gain. Prosecutors say he fabricated his academics and military record when applying to the agency in the early 2000s, including falsely claiming to be a Navy pilot.

Rush is now charged with stealing military leave pay, pocketing $77,000 by falsifying his membership in the Navy Reserve beyond 2015. A judge has ordered him to remain behind bars, citing him as a potential flight risk and labeling him a