A former senior employee at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is accused of siphoning approximately $8 million from the gallery over a six-year period. According to recent reports, the individual allegedly used an NGV account to purchase high-value mobile phones, which were then sold for personal profit. The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), an Australian government body that investigates corruption and misconduct by public officials, has charged the former employee with seven counts of theft and one count of misconduct in public office. These alleged offenses are said to have occurred between September 2019 and September 2025. IBAC confirmed in a statement that the individual used an NGV account to buy mobile phones valued at around $8 million, which were later sold for personal gain. The commission began investigating the matter in September 2024 after receiving allegations of corruption, theft, and misuse of the employee’s position. The investigation led to the formal charges now being brought against the former worker. The accused is set to appear in Melbourne’s Magistrates’ Court on 20 October. An NGV spokesperson confirmed that the gallery was involved in a financial fraud linked to a former employee. The spokesperson told the Australian Associated Press (AAP) that the incident was reported to both Victoria Police and IBAC in September 2025, and that the individual had since been terminated. The gallery stated that it has since introduced new measures and controls to strengthen its internal systems and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.