Former High Museum of Art executive charged for embezzlement

The former chief operating officer at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia, has been charged for allegedly stealing more than $600,000 using doctored invoices and approving his own personal purchases.

Brady Lum, 59, pleaded not guilty to a charge of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds during his arraignment Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher C. Bly. Lum, who had served in his role since 2019, resigned from his post in December following an internal investigation.

U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg subtly likened the impact of the theft from the High Museum to the theft of Napoleonic jewels from the Louvre Museum in Paris in October.

“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 in a statement.

“Our office will move with swift precision to prosecute individuals who abuse positions of power and trust to enrich themselves at the expense of non-profit institutions.”

In his role, Lum had control over the museum’s finances and allegedly made purchases for luxury guitars and other music equipment, personal music lessons and woodworking equipment, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors specifically detailed a November 2024 incident in which Lum allegedly altered an invoice he had submitted through the museum’s online expense processing platform. The original invoice showed $9,147.87 for a guitar and accessories but was later altered to appear to be for the museum’s benefit.

“We expect officials of one of our communities’ historic institutions to serve as stewards — not to loot it,” said Marlo Graham, FBI Atlanta special agent in charge “The FBI remains unwavering in its pursuit to hold accountable those who exploit their positions for selfish purposes.”

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