Former NGV IT chief faces court over alleged $8m theft

James Michael Hosking, the former IT chief of the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court facing charges of theft and misconduct in public office. Authorities allege that between September 2019 and September 2025, Hosking used an NGV account to purchase approximately $8 million worth of mobile phones, which were then sold.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) is investigating the matter through Operation Sonder, which was established in September 2025 to probe allegations of corrupt conduct and the misuse of position to conceal the offending. Hosking currently faces seven counts of theft and one count of misconduct.

During the court appearance, Hosking’s lawyer, Josh Smith, stated that his client has been “incredibly co-operative” with the IBAC investigation and has been “very forthcoming” during interviews. Hosking has been ordered to surrender his passport and is currently banned from leaving the country.