Former High Museum COO Accused of $600K Theft

Alleged financial misconduct rocks prestigious Atlanta art institution featured in 'Black Panther' and 'The Resident'

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:37pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a museum donation box or cash register drawer, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic around the financial scandal.The alleged theft of over $600,000 from the prestigious High Museum of Art exposes vulnerabilities in financial oversight at esteemed cultural institutions.Atlanta Today

Brady Lum, the former Chief Operating Officer of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, has resigned amid allegations that he stole over $600,000 from the museum over a period of several years. The High Museum, a cultural landmark featured in popular productions like 'The Resident' and Marvel's 'Black Panther', is now at the center of a major financial scandal.

Why it matters

This incident raises questions about oversight and financial controls within prestigious art institutions, as well as the potential for abuse of power by trusted executives. The fallout could lead to tighter regulations and scrutiny of museum management practices across the industry.

The details

Investigations by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution revealed discrepancies in the High Museum's finances, leading to Lum's resignation on December 9. With an annual salary of $312,374, Lum was the fifth-highest-paid employee and had access to the museum's funds, which he is accused of siphoning off over a period of three to four years.

  • Lum resigned from his position as COO on December 9, 2026.
  • The alleged theft is said to have occurred over a period of 3-4 years prior to Lum's resignation.

The players

Brady Lum

The former Chief Operating Officer of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, who is accused of stealing over $600,000 from the museum over several years.

Hala Moddelmog

The president of Woodruff, which oversees the High Museum, who believes Lum acted alone and abused his executive position to siphon off the museum's funds.

High Museum of Art

A prestigious art museum in Atlanta that has been featured in popular productions like 'The Resident' and Marvel's 'Black Panther'.

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What they’re saying

“Lum acted alone. With an annual salary of $312,374, he was the fifth-highest-paid employee and had access to the museum's funds. Moddelmog suspects Lum abused his executive position to siphon off the money, concealing his actions for years.”

— Hala Moddelmog, President of Woodruff, which oversees the High Museum

What’s next

The US Attorney's Office in Atlanta is now faced with a decision on whether to press charges against Lum. The museum's donors have also been notified of the alleged theft.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for tighter financial controls and oversight within prestigious art institutions, as well as the potential for abuse of power by trusted executives. The fallout could lead to industry-wide scrutiny of museum management practices.