The former CIA officer arrested after authorities discovered roughly $40 million worth of gold bars in his Virginia home pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to a single count of wire fraud, admitting he defrauded the U.S. government out of nearly $200 million for his personal benefit. 

David Rush was previously described by prosecutors as a "master manipulator" who used his clandestine position to amass millions worth of gold bars and luxury watches -. though the government revealed in Tuesday's hearing the extent of his alleged deception far exceeded what was previously known to the public.

The nearly $200 million in payments to Rush, which dwarfs previous amounts disclosed as part of his case, will likely only further draw public and congressional scrutiny to the in...