A US judge has ordered David Rush, a former CIA official, to remain in custody pending trial, citing his status as a flight risk due to his intelligence background and alleged attempts to conceal assets. Rush, 49, faces charges of stealing public funds, with prosecutors describing him as a 'master manipulator.' The allegations stem from claims that he submitted fraudulent time sheets, resulting in approximately $70,000 in improper payments. Investigators, prompted by a referral from the CIA, uncovered a significant cache of assets during a search of Rush's home in Virginia, including over 300 gold bars valued at around $40 million, $2 million in cash, and luxury watches. Prosecutors allege that Rush received these gold bars and foreign currency for supposed work-related expenses but failed to account for them properly. Rush's defense team has dismissed the accusations as 'sensational,' arguing that the gold bars were disclosed to investigators. However, the judge rejected a request for home detention, emphasizing that Rush's intelligence experience made him particularly capable of evading law enforcement.