A former senior executive at Melbourne’s National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) has been accused of abusing his position and stealing approximately AUD 8 million (USD 5.6 million) from the institution over the course of six years. The individual allegedly siphoned the funds from a work account to purchase smartphones, which he then sold off at a profit, using his position to conceal his activity.

The alleged conduct is said to have continued from September 2019 until its detection in September 2025. NGV reported the matter to Victoria police and fired the staffer. The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), the state’s anticorruption watchdog, then conducted a year-long investigation before charging the man with eight offenses, including seven counts of theft and one count of misconduct in public office. He is scheduled to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on October 20. 

Founded in 1861 and funded by the state, NGV is the country’s oldest gallery. Its AUD 4.8 billion (USD 3.3 billion) collection of over 80,000 artworks was reportedly not affected by this incident. 

Harison Butler is an editorial intern at ArtAsiaPacific.