The former chief operating officer of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta was arraigned Wednesday on a federal charge of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, accused of stealing more than $600,000 from the institution.
Brady Lum, 59, of Atlanta, allegedly used his position at the museum to make personal purchases — including luxury guitars, music equipment, personal music lessons and woodworking equipment — by doctoring invoices and approving transactions, according to court documents.
Lum served as the High Museum’s COO from January 2, 2019, until his resignation on December 9, 2025. In that role, he was responsible for planning, managing and controlling the museum’s operational and financial activities, prosecutors said.
Investigators allege Lum concealed the nature of the transactions by submitting altered invoices, using his delegated authority to approve expenses and making accounting adjustments to spread charges across multiple cost centers so they would not be readily identified.
In one example cited by prosecutors, Lum submitted an altered invoice on or about November 29, 2024, through the museum’s online expense platform. The document showed a $9,147.87 purchase of equipment that appeared to be for the museum’s benefit, but the original invoice was for a guitar and accessories.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said the conduct amounted to a betrayal of trust at a prominent Atlanta institution. “While entrusted to run the High Museum, Lum allegedly used the museum’s money as his personal slush fund and thereby betrayed one of Atlanta’s civic crown jewels,” Hertzberg said, adding that his office would “move with swift precision” to prosecute those who abuse positions of power at nonprofit organizations.
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Marlo Graham echoed those remarks, saying the bureau would hold accountable those who exploit institutional authority for personal gain. “We expect officials of one of our communities’ historic institutions to serve as stewards — not to loot it,” Graham said.
Lum was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher C. Bly. The High Museum features a collection of more than 20,000 works of art and is a cornerstone of Atlanta’s cultural identity.
Lum is presumed innocent unless proven guilty or unless he admits guilt in court.
This article was constructed with the assistance of artificial intelligence and published by a member of The Washington Times’ AI News Desk team. The contents of this report are based solely on The Washington Times’ original reporting, wire services, and/or other sources cited within the report. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Steve Fink, Director of Artificial Intelligence, at sfink@washingtontimes.com
The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.
