Former High Museum COO charged with embezzling over $600,000

Brady Lum allegedly used his position to steal from the Atlanta art institution over a 6-year period.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:06pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled, altered invoice with a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually illustrating the forensic evidence at the center of the High Museum embezzlement case.A damning paper trail exposes the alleged embezzlement scheme at the heart of the High Museum scandal.Atlanta Today

Brady Lum, the former chief operating officer of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, has been charged with embezzlement after allegedly using his position to steal more than $600,000 from the museum over a 6-year period. Prosecutors say Lum purchased personal items like luxury guitars, music equipment, and woodworking tools through doctored invoices and the museum's corporate credit card reimbursement process.

Why it matters

The High Museum is one of Atlanta's most prominent cultural institutions, and the alleged embezzlement by its former COO represents a significant breach of trust that could undermine public confidence in the museum's financial management and operations.

The details

According to prosecutors, 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 the High Museum's corporate credit card reimbursement process. Lum allegedly concealed the transactions 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.

  • Lum served as the High Museum's COO from January 2, 2019 to December 9, 2025.
  • On or around November 29, 2024, Lum allegedly altered an invoice for $9,147.87 to make it appear the purchase was for the museum's benefit, when it was actually for a guitar and accessories.

The players

Brady Lum

The former chief operating officer of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, who is accused of embezzling over $600,000 from the museum over a 6-year period.

High Museum of Art

A prominent art museum in Atlanta, Georgia that is one of the city's leading cultural institutions.

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What they’re saying

“The alleged actions of the former COO represent a serious breach of trust and a betrayal of the High Museum's mission and the community it serves.”

— Rand Hecht, High Museum Board Chair

What’s next

Prosecutors say Lum will face a judge on April 25th, where the court will determine whether he will be allowed to post bail or be held in custody until his trial.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of robust financial controls and oversight, even at prestigious cultural institutions, to prevent abuse of power and protect public trust. The High Museum must now work to rebuild confidence in its stewardship of donor and taxpayer funds.