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Former High Museum COO Charged With $600,000 Theft, Pleads Not Guilty

The case spotlights federal oversight of nonprofit funds at a major Atlanta arts institution.

Overview

  • Brady Lum appeared in federal court in Atlanta on Tuesday and entered a not guilty plea to a felony charge of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.
  • A magistrate set a $10,000 unsecured bond and ordered Lum to surrender his passport and seek court approval for any travel outside Georgia.
  • Prosecutors say more than $600,000 was taken between 2018 and 2025 by altering invoices, using delegated approval authority, and spreading charges across cost centers to avoid detection.
  • Court filings cite purchases for personal use that included guitars, music equipment and lessons, and woodworking gear, and investigators say the FBI probe remains active with no trial date set.
  • The Woodruff Arts Center says it believes Lum acted alone and that museum operations remain stable, and it launched a forensic audit after finding irregularities in December 2025.