Senior art gallery worker fired, accused of $8m theft
The National Gallery of Victoria, Australia’s oldest and most visited museum, has been rocked by a scandal involving a former senior staff member accused of siphoning roughly $8 million over six years.
Investigators allege the employee used the gallery’s purchasing account to acquire a large stock of mobile phones, later selling them for personal profit. Seven counts of theft and a charge of misconduct in public office have been filed, and the case is set for a magistrates’ hearing.
The alleged fraud raises unsettling questions about internal controls at major cultural institutions. While the gallery’s reputation for presenting world‑class art remains intact, the incident underscores the need for rigorous financial oversight to protect public trust.