ATLANTA — Brady Lum, the former chief operating officer of the High Museum of Art, was arraigned in federal court on a charge accusing him of stealing more than $600,000 from the museum by manipulating invoices and using his authority to approve spending for personal purchases.
Lum, 59, of Atlanta, is charged with theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. Federal prosecutors allege that, while overseeing the museum’s operational and financial functions, Lum repeatedly bought non-business items and services for himself, then routed the costs through vendor invoicing and the museum’s corporate credit card reimbursement process.
Authorities say the purchases included luxury guitars and other music equipment, personal music lessons, and woodworking equipment. Prosecutors allege Lum concealed the spending by submitting altered invoices, approving transactions under delegated expense authority, and making accounting adjustments that spread costs across multiple cost centers to avoid detection.
In one example cited by prosecutors, Lum allegedly submitted an altered invoice around Nov. 29, 2024, seeking reimbursement through the museum’s online expense platform. The version submitted for approval listed a $9,147.87 purchase that appeared to be for museum use, prosecutors said, while the original invoice was for a guitar and related accessories.
Lum served as the High Museum’s chief operating officer from Jan. 2, 2019, until his resignation on Dec. 9, 2025, prosecutors said. The High Museum, a flagship Atlanta cultural institution, houses more than 20,000 works of art and hosts exhibitions and public programs.
Lum was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher C. Bly. Federal authorities emphasized that the charge is an allegation, and Lum is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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