Victoria’s corruption watchdog has charged a former National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) employee who allegedly used a work account to purchase millions of dollars worth of mobile phones then sold them for personal gain.
The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) alleges the scheme took place over several years, amassing about $8 million worth of devices.
IBAC today revealed it had charged the former senior employee with eight offences, including seven counts of theft and one count of misconduct in public office.
The charges were laid as part of Operation Sonder, which was established last year to investigate allegations of corrupt conduct in relation to theft and misuse of the former employee’s position in the six years to September 2025.
In a statement today, IBAC said it would be alleged that the employee misused his position to conceal the alleged conduct.
The man has been scheduled to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on October 20.
A former senior employee of the National Gallery of Victoria has been charged with misusing his position over six years.
(Supplied: National Gallery of Victoria)
A spokesperson for the NGV said the alleged phone purchases were not authorised.
They said the matter was reported to Victoria Police and IBAC last September and the employee was fired.
“The NGV worked with IBAC while they undertook an investigation,” the gallery said in a statement.
“Since September 2025, the NGV has implemented a series of new measures and controls to further strengthen our systems and processes.”
Founded in 1861, the NGV is Australia’s oldest and most-visited gallery, spread over two buildings in the heart of Melbourne.
Its state collection includes nearly 80,000 works.
