Former assistant commissioner Noel Ashby and former media director Steve Linnell were charged this week following a top level investigation. Police Association secretary Paul Mullett was also charged.

Both Mr Linnell and Mr Ashby worked closely with Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon and were considered part of her closest team members. The allegations against them were embarrassing for her.

Ms Nixon maintained yesterday that the charges were not "personal" or part of a vendetta.

And there is no reason for the public to believe they are.

Mr Ashby and Mr Mullett have said they will defend the charges, with Mr Ashby hinting he would expose corruption at government level during the trial.

Premier John Brumby and Ms Nixon have both said they do not know what he might be referring to.

Quite rightly, though, they have asked that if Mr Ashby has any evidence of corruption, he passes that information to investigators.

The upcoming trial involving Mr Mullet, Mr Ashby and Mr Linnell will no doubt cause all three men, as well as Ms Nixon and Victoria Police, some public grief - perhaps even embarrassment.

It is important, however, that these allegations are dealt with in court.

Whatever happens after that will depend on the court's findings.

Starlight's trash was someone's treasure

THE Starlight Foundation does an amazing amount of work for sick children and deserves full credit for that.

Yesterday, though, we highlighted an incident where the organisation appears to have dropped the ball in customer service.

A heartfelt donation of knitted bears was discarded in a rubbish bin without so much as a "thanks, but no thanks" letter to the donor.

Not surprisingly, the incident has left a sour taste in the mouth of the enthusiastic Ballarat knitter who made the donation.

Hopefully, the incident will prompt a review of how the organisation handles unwanted donations.