Full Breakdown
Former NGV Senior Staffer Charged with $8 Million Phone Fraud
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) has charged a former senior employee of the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) with eight offences – seven counts of theft and one count of misconduct in public office. IBAC alleges the employee used an NGV work account to purchase mobile phones worth approximately $8 million between September 2019 and September 2025 and then sold the devices for personal financial benefit. The charges were laid as part of Operation Sonder, an investigation launched by IBAC in September 2025. The accused is scheduled to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on October 20.
Background & Context
Operation Sonder was created to probe alleged corrupt conduct involving the misuse of a public-sector position at the NGV. The NGV confirmed that the matter was reported to Victoria Police and IBAC in September 2025, after which the employee’s employment was terminated. The NGV, founded in 1861 and Australia’s oldest public art institution, operates across two Melbourne sites and houses a collection of nearly 80,000 works.
Official Statements & Responses
NGV officials emphasized that the alleged fraud was the action of a single individual and not reflective of the organisation’s values. NGV director Tony Ellwood said the behaviour breached NGV policies, procedures and the Victorian Public Sector Code of Conduct. The gallery added that it cooperated fully with IBAC during the investigation and that no further information will be released while the case remains before the courts.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The NGV worked with IBAC while they undertook an investigation. While the matter remains before court no further information will be provided.” — The NGV
- “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,” — Tony Ellwood, NGV director
What’s Next
The former employee is due to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on October 20, where the charges will be formally heard. No additional details have been provided pending the court proceedings.