Phil Egan, the author of a report into systematic racism at Hawthorn Football Club, is set to face court over allegations of financial impropriety while in charge of a health care organisation for Indigenous communities.

The former manager has been charged with 73 separate fraud offences that asserts he siphoned hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Robinvale-based, Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative.

The charges relate to alleged fraud matters that happened between 2010 and 2015.

The 60-year-old Aberfeldie man was charged on summons that included 33 charges of using false documents, 32 charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception, and eight charges of solicitation of secret commissions.

Detectives from Victoria Police's Financial Crime Squad charged the former Richmond footballer, from 1982 until 1990, on Thursday as part of an ongoing investigation that has lasted almost 12 months.

Police had alleged Mr Egan issued payments from the organisation to contractors who subsequently transferred money back into his personal bank account.

Mr Egan, who has been the managing director of Indigenous consulting firm Binmada this year, was first arrested late last year over the alleged fraud allegations.

He first told the National Indigenous Times back in December that detectives had not interviewed him over the allegations after this arrest despite the probe beginning months earlier.

"I categorically deny that I have stolen from the Murray Valley Aboriginal Cooperative (MVAC) in any way whatsoever," Egan said in a statement at the time.

"At all times, I acted with honesty, integrity and in the best interests of the MVAC."

Back in April, Mr Egan was confident that he would not expect to answer any charges.

"I doubt and certainly hope there will be none," he said.

The National Indigenous Times have since contacted Mr Egan on Thursday for further comment on the charges of fraud.

Mr Egan had publicly believed the investigation was based on opinions, and not facts nor the truth.

He pointed to an unnamed member of the Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative as the person behind the initial allegations, who also had cordial relations with Hawthorn.

Mr Egan famously was behind the controversial report that Hawthorn commissioned into an investigation that a number of First Nations players had been racially abused while playing at the club.

The allegations were levelled at former four-time premiership coach Alistair Clarkson and football manager Chris Fagan between 2010 and 2016.

But the two men have since been cleared of any further action by the AFL.

Mr Egan will appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court to defend the charges on August 11.