Senior National Gallery of Victoria staffer stole $8m from workplace: IBAC

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 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 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 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.

Gallery staff were informed of the alleged crime 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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