US judge jails former High Museum executive Brady Lum for 12 months

US District Judge Michael L. Brown sentenced Brady Lum, the former chief operating officer of Atlanta’s High Museum of Art, to 12 months in federal prison on 2 November 2026, for embezzling more than $600,000 from the museum. The Art Newspaper covered the sentencing.

Lum had pleaded guilty on 13 July 2026, before Brown in Atlanta to a single felony charge of theft from an entity that receives federal funds. He initially pleaded not guilty at his April arraignment.

How the money was diverted

Federal prosecutors said Lum used museum funds for personal purchases, including guitars, music lessons and woodworking equipment. He concealed the spending through falsified invoices, reimbursement requests and accounting adjustments.

The scheme began in September 2019, less than nine months after Lum joined the museum, and continued until its discovery in November 2025.

Repayment and the judge’s reasoning

Lum paid the museum full restitution—repayment of the stolen money—of $607,688.18. Separately, he voluntarily paid approximately $500,000 to cover the museum’s costs of uncovering and investigating his criminal activity.

Brown said he did not believe Lum was likely to reoffend, but emphasized discouraging similar financial crimes by others in positions of trust. He considered Lum’s prompt repayment after discovery, while indicating that returning money after being caught carried less weight in assessing accountability than returning it before detection.

Lum apologized in court and expressed regret for disappointing his family and community.

Museum and parent decline details on safeguards

The sentencing came during the High Museum’s centennial and a major corporate fundraising campaign by its parent organization, the Woodruff Arts Center.

We respect the court’s decision and remain focused on fulfilling our mission, responsibly managing our resources and connecting deeply with the audience we serve.

Both organizations declined to provide substantive information about financial safeguards introduced after Lum’s misconduct. They also declined to say whether they intend to publish a plan addressing financial controls, governance reforms and oversight procedures.