Ex-High Museum executive admits to theft involving federally funded programs

(Editor’s note: The video above is from an earlier report.)

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Brady Lum, the former chief operating officer of the High Museum of Art, has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.

Prosecutors said Lum served as the museum’s COO from Jan. 2, 2019, until his resignation on Dec. 9, 2025, overseeing operational and financial activities. During that time, authorities allege Lum made personal purchases using museum payment methods, including by routing items through supplier invoicing and through the museum’s corporate credit card reimbursement process.

According to prosecutors, Lum concealed the nature of the transactions by submitting altered invoices, using delegated expense-approval authority, and making accounting adjustments that spread expenses across different cost centers.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office cited one example from Nov. 29, 2024, when prosecutors said Lum submitted an invoice for reimbursement that appeared to reflect a $9,147.87 purchase for museum use, while the original invoice was for a high-end guitar and accessories that Lum kept.

Prosecutors said Lum received more than 700 reimbursements during the scheme—most for less than $1,000—and that the total loss exceeded $600,000.

Lum, 59, will be sentenced on Nov. 2, 2026.

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