Atlanta, Georgia – In a shocking turn of events, Brady Lum, the former chief operating officer of the High Museum of Art, was arraigned today on a federal charge of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds in a scheme that allegedly netted him over $600,000.
Lum, 59, of Atlanta, Georgia, used his position at the High Museum to doctor invoices and approve transactions for personal purchases, including luxury guitars and other music equipment, personal music lessons, and woodworking equipment, through direct supplier invoicing and through the High Museum’s corporate credit card reimbursement process.
As COO, Lum was responsible for planning, implementing, managing, and controlling the High Museum’s operational and financial activities from January 2, 2019, until his resignation on December 9, 2025.
According to U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg, Lum repeatedly purchased non-business items and services for himself, concealing the nature of his transactions in several ways, including 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 so that they would not be readily identified.
For example, on or about November 29, 2024, Lum submitted an altered invoice for reimbursement through the High Museum’s online expense processing platform, showing a $9,147.87 purchase of equipment that appeared to be for the museum’s benefit, but the original version of the invoice was for a guitar and accessories.
Brady Lum was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher C. Bly. Members of the public are reminded that the information only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges until he is proven guilty or admits guilt in a court of law.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas N. Joy is prosecuting the case.
The High Museum of Art is an iconic cornerstone of Atlanta’s cultural identity, featuring a collection of more than 20,000 works of art, a dynamic schedule of special exhibitions, and engaging community-focused programs.
Related Federal Cases
- Tifton Banker, $2.8M Embezzlement, Georgia 2023 · Georgia
- Gary Patton Hall, Jr., Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, Georgia 2010 · Georgia
- Kelli Durham, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Georgia 2012 · Georgia
- Greene Wylie Sheppard, Conspiracy to Defraud the United States and Aggravated Identity Theft, Georgia 2013 · Georgia
- Dr. Robert B. Sperrazza, Tax Evasion and Currency Structuring, Georgia 2013 · Illinois
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
