RICHMOND, Sept. 20 -- The former director of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and two other former department employees have been charged with misusing state money, according to indictments unsealed Thursday.

The indictments, handed up Sept. 12 by a grand jury in Richmond Circuit Court, follow several investigations into a department that has faced years of accusations of improper spending, questionable travel expenses and retaliation against whistle-blowing employees. Such public corruption indictments are rare in Virginia government.

"These indictments by the grand jury reflect the Commonwealth's continuing commitment to thoroughly investigate the prior financial activities" at the department, Chief Deputy Attorney General William C. Mims said in a statement.

Few details were available about the allegations, which center on former director William L. Woodfin Jr., Terry C. Bradbery, former chief of the agency's law enforcement division, and Michael G. Caison, former assistant chief of the division. The 500-employee department is responsible for the management of inland fisheries, wildlife and recreational boating.

A previously released state audit in 2005 revealed that the three spent more than $11,000 of state money on hunting gear for an African safari. The money has since been repaid.

State Internal Auditor John A. Spooner called the allegations in the audit among the most serious in recent history in Virginia, which has a national reputation as a well-run state.

Spooner, who was hired after the 2005 audit was conducted, said the case is high-profile because it involves department leaders and a substantial amount of money.

After the audit, the department underwent several changes so that state officials would have more control over money, equipment and travel. The attorney general's office also plans to propose legislation during next year's General Assembly session to help safeguard state money.

Woodfin and the agency's former board chairman, Dan Hoffler, a wealthy Virginia Beach developer, resigned in 2005 after the 50-page audit accused department officials of waste, cronyism, misuse of state property and employee retaliation.

Woodfin, Hoffler, Bradbery and Caison went on a two-week African safari in September 2004.

Hoffler paid for the trip, but the audit questioned the purchases made for the trip, totaling $11,532, which were charged to state credit cards.

Hoffler said in a statement Thursday that he was "extremely disappointed" to learn about the indictments, adding: "I have personally cooperated with the Attorney General's investigation and will continue to provide any information they may require. I sincerely hope this does not tarnish the reputation of the department, which is without question one of the best in the nation."