Former National Gallery of Victoria employee charged over alleged $8 million phone scheme

A former senior employee of the National Gallery of Victoria has been charged with misusing their position to allegedly purchase millions of dollars worth of mobile phones for personal gain.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission alleges the scheme took place over several years, amassing about $8 million worth of devices. The former employee has been charged 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 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, IBAC said it would be alleged that the employee misused their position to conceal the alleged conduct. The man has been scheduled to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on October 20.

A spokesperson for the National Gallery of Victoria said the alleged phone purchases were not authorised. "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 National Gallery of Victoria 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.