Updated September 24, 2026 — 1:48pm,first published 1:06pm

A former senior National Gallery of Victoria employee has been charged by the state’s corruption watchdog after allegedly siphoning $8 million from the gallery over six years.

The former top employee is accused of using an NGV account to buy mobile phones, which he then sold for millions in personal financial benefit.

He is also accused of using his senior position at the NGV to cover up the alleged conduct.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) charged the ex-employee with seven counts of theft and one count of misconduct in public office.

The corruption watchdog launched the investigation, dubbed Operation Sonder, in September 2025. The alleged offending occurred between September 2019 until September last year.

An NGV spokesperson said the employee was fired in September 2025 after the alleged offending was reported to Victoria Police and IBAC.

The employee’s alleged conduct occurred between September 2019 up to his termination.

The spokesperson said the gallery has adopted “new measures and controls” to “strengthen our systems and processes” since uncovering the alleged financial fraud.

The gallery declined to answer questions about how the alleged missing millions went undetected for so long.

“The NGV worked with IBAC while they undertook an investigation. The matter is now before the courts. While the matter remains before court no further information will be provided,” the spokesperson said.

Creative Industries Minister Vicki Ward said the alleged offending was “disgraceful” but also declined to answer any specific questions.

An independent audit conducted by Victorian Auditor-General’s Office was finalised on 28 August 2025, soon before the matter was reported to authorities, according to the gallery’s most recent annual report.

NGV staff members are considered public servants.

Opposition creative industries spokesman David Davis demanded the government explain how the “extraordinary” alleged fraud was committed.

“These shocking [alleged] thefts at the National Gallery of Victoria are totally unacceptable and processes must be tightened and rigorous,” he said.

Gallery staff were informed of the alleged crime on Thursday afternoon in an email sent by NGV director Tony Ellwood and obtained by The Age.

“The NGV was the subject of a financial fraud involving an individual employee … the behaviour breached NGV policies and procedures and the [Victorian Public Sector] Code of Conduct,” Ellwood said.

“The actions were those of one individual, and not a reflection of our values as an organisation or the diligence and professionalism of other NGV staff members.

“We understand this news is distressing.”

Ellwood instructed staff to forward any questions they received about the case to the gallery’s People and Culture team.

The man is due to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on October 20.

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Carla Jaeger is a journalist for The Age. Got a tip? Email carla.jaeger@theage.com.au or message carlajaeger.62 on Signal.Connect via X or email.

Kerrie O'Brien is a senior writer, culture, at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X, Facebook or email.