The chief operating officer at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta has resigned after an independent review determined that $600,000 had been stolen from the institution.
According to a statement to Hyperallergic from the High Museum’s parent organization, the Woodruff Arts Center, museum executives first identified “financial irregularities” within the institution in December. The Woodruff Arts Center then initiated an external investigation that “ultimately traced the irregularities back to High Museum COO Brady Lum, who had been placed on administrative leave during this period and has since resigned.”
Lum reportedly tendered his resignation on December 9, though it is unclear when the art center became aware of his involvement in the alleged theft. The firm leading the investigation shared its findings with the US Attorney’s Office in Atlanta for any further action.
Hyperallergic has attempted to contact Lum, who apparently hung up on Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporters when reached for comment this week.
The longtime executive became the High Museum’s chief operating officer in 2019. Lum previously served as president and chief operating officer of the Special Olympics International and as an executive for Coca-Cola, according to a 2008 press release. He received a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University in 1993.
US Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg told Hyperallergic in a statement that his Atlanta office received information from the Woodruff Arts Center’s attorneys on Tuesday, February 24, and “relayed it to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for review.”
The Woodruff Arts Center’s statement said the alleged theft would not impact the High Museum’s “financial stability or operations.” In 2024 tax filings, the center reported assets valued at over $543.7 million and an annual income of $11.6 million.
“We’ve engaged an independent forensic auditor and other experts to review this matter and identify improvements to strengthen the High Museum and Woodruff Arts Center’s processes,” the statement continued.
