High Museum of Art's Former Chief Operating Officer Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement

ATLANTA - Brady Lum, the former chief operating officer of the High Museum of Art who pilfered more than $600,000 from the museum by doctoring invoices and approving transactions for personal purchases, has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.

"Over several years, Lum deceptively plundered the southeast's premier museum of visual art, embezzling more than half a million dollars," said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. "Criminals like Lum who steal from institutions that receive taxpayer money to serve the public will face prison time for their thievery and be compelled to repay their ill-gotten gains."

"As he admitted in court, Brady Lum breached the trust of his organization and undermined the integrity of the museum," said Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. "The FBI remains unwavering in its pursuit to hold accountable those who exploit their positions for selfish purposes."

According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: Lum served as the High Museum of Art's chief operating officer from January 2, 2019, until his resignation on December 9, 2025. As COO, he was responsible for planning, implementing, managing, and controlling the High Museum's operational and financial activities.

During his tenure as COO, Lum repeatedly purchased non-business items and services for himself, including luxury guitars and other music equipment, personal music lessons, and woodworking equipment, through direct supplier invoicing and through the High Museum's corporate credit card reimbursement process. Lum concealed the nature of his transactions in several ways, including by submitting altered invoices, using his position to exercise delegated expense approval authority, and using accounting adjustments to spread his expenses across different cost centers so that they would not be readily identified.

For example, in one instance, on or about November 29, 2024, Lum submitted an altered invoice for reimbursement through the High Museum's online expense processing platform. While the submitted invoice showed a $9,147.87 purchase of equipment that appeared to be for the museum's benefit, the original version of the invoice was for a high-end guitar and accessories that Lum kept for himself. Over the course of his scheme, Lum received more than 700 reimbursements, most of which were for less than $1,000, and stole more than $600,000 from the High Museum.

Brady Lum, 59, of Atlanta, Georgia, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael L. Brown. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 2, 2026 at 10 a.m. As part of his plea agreement, Lum will pay full restitution to the High Museum.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas N. Joy is prosecuting the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney's Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.