Former High Museum COO Charged with $600,000 Theft

Brady Lum pleaded not guilty to federal charges of misappropriating museum funds for personal expenses

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:23pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a high-end musical instrument, such as a violin or cello, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, capturing the texture and details of the instrument in a stark, investigative aesthetic.A stark, gritty close-up of a luxury musical instrument, symbolizing the alleged misuse of museum funds for personal gain.Atlanta Today

Brady Lum, the former chief operating officer of Atlanta's High Museum of Art, has been charged with federal theft after an internal investigation found he allegedly misappropriated $600,000 in museum funds over several years. Lum pleaded not guilty to the charges, which accuse him of using the museum's money for personal purchases like musical instruments and workshop equipment.

Why it matters

The High Museum is one of Atlanta's most prominent cultural institutions, and the alleged theft represents a significant breach of trust. The case raises questions about oversight and financial controls at non-profit organizations, as well as the potential impact on the museum's operations and reputation.

The details

According to the federal indictment, Lum manipulated financial records and authorized illegitimate purchases for his own benefit, including high-end musical instruments, private lessons, and workshop equipment. He allegedly used his position to approve the expenses and spread them across different cost centers to conceal the misappropriation.

  • In December 2025, Lum resigned from his position as COO of the High Museum.
  • In February 2026, the Woodruff Arts Center, which oversees the High Museum, referred the matter to federal prosecutors after an internal investigation.
  • On April 14, 2026, Lum pleaded not guilty to the federal theft charges during his arraignment.

The players

Brady Lum

The former chief operating officer of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, who is accused of misappropriating $600,000 in museum funds for personal expenses.

Woodruff Arts Center

The organization that oversees the High Museum of Art, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the Alliance Theatre. It launched an internal investigation that uncovered the alleged financial irregularities.

Hala Moddelmog

The president and CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center, who stated that the organization believes Lum acted alone and that the alleged theft would not impact museum operations.

Theodore S. Hertzberg

The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, who accused Lum of using the museum's money as his "personal slush fund" and betraying the trust placed in him.

Don Samuel

The attorney representing Brady Lum, who said his client had nothing to say about the case at this time.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Theodore S. Hertzberg, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia

What’s next

A trial date has not yet been scheduled for Lum's case. The High Museum remains financially stable, according to the Woodruff Arts Center, and the organization believes Lum acted alone.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of strong financial controls and oversight at non-profit institutions, as well as the potential consequences when those safeguards are breached. The alleged theft at the High Museum raises concerns about the vulnerability of cultural organizations to internal fraud and the need for robust governance practices to protect their assets and public trust.