A former executive at Atlanta’s High Museum of Art has pleaded guilty to embezzlement.
The U.S. Justice Department said on Monday that former High chief operating officer Brady Lum pleaded guilty to a single charge of felony theft.
Prosecutors accused him of stealing more than $600,000 from the museum by doctoring invoices and approving personal purchase transactions.
Lum served as the museum’s chief operating officer from 2019 until his resignation in December of 2025. As COO, he was responsible for planning, implementing, managing, and controlling the High Museum’s operational and financial activities.
During his tenure, Lum would purchase non-business items and services for himself, including luxury guitars, personal music lessons, woodworking equipment, and more, through direct supplier invoicing and the High Museum’s corporate credit card reimbursement process. Lum received more than 700 reimbursements during his scheme.
“Criminals like Lum who steal from institutions that receive taxpayer money to serve the public will face prison time for their thievery and be compelled to repay their ill-gotten gains,” U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said.
As the case is being investigated by the FBI, Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Atlanta, hopes to hold those like Lum accountable for taking advantage of their positions.
“As he admitted in court, Brady Lum breached the trust of his organization and undermined the integrity of the museum,” Graham said. “The FBI remains unwavering in its pursuit to hold accountable those who exploit their positions for selfish purposes.”
