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Former High Museum executive pleads guilty to embezzling $600,000
By Sam Sachs at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· July 13, 2026
· 2 min read
The former Chief Operating Officer of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta pled guilty to federal theft charges after being accused of “pilfering” $600,000 from the museum.Channel 2 Action News reported when former museum COO Brady Lum was accused of doctoring invoices and approving transactions for...
Key takeaway Channel 2 Action News reported when former museum COO Brady Lum was accused of doctoring invoices and approving transactions for personal purchases in April.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The guilty plea of the former High Museum of Art executive has significant implications for the Atlanta community, which relies on institutions like the High Museum to promote arts and culture. The fact that the embezzled funds were used for personal luxury items, such as guitars and music equipment, raises questions about the museum's internal financial controls and oversight. As the case is still under investigation by the FBI, it will be important to watch how the museum responds to this incident and what steps it takes to prevent similar incidents in the future. The requirement that the former executive pay full restitution to the museum is a positive step, but the community will likely be looking for more assurance that the museum is taking concrete actions to protect its finances and maintain the public's trust. The sentencing in early November will be closely watched to see how the justice system holds individuals accountable for stealing from institutions that serve the public.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The former Chief Operating Officer of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta pled guilty to federal theft charges after being accused of “pilfering” $600,000 from the museum.Channel 2 Action News reported when former museum COO Brady Lum was accused of doctoring invoices and approving transactions for...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Sam Sachs at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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