Georgia Museum Executive Resigns Amid Major Financial Misconduct Probe
The chief operating officer of a prominent Georgia art museum has resigned after an internal investigation was initiated into his alleged theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Brady Lum submitted his resignation on December 9, and is accused of misappropriating approximately $600,000 in funds belonging to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, according to reports from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Alleged Theft Spanning Several Years
The Woodruff Arts Center, which oversees the museum, believes Lum acted alone and stole the money over a period of three to four years. On Tuesday, Woodruff's governing board voted to refer the matter to the local US Attorney's Office in Atlanta for further legal action.
In a statement to the Daily Mail, US Attorney Theodore Hertzberg confirmed he received the referral and has passed it to the FBI for additional review and potential investigation. This escalation indicates the serious nature of the allegations against the former executive.
Abuse of Executive Position
Woodruff CEO and President Hala Moddelmog told the outlet in an interview that Lum abused his power as the head of the museum. 'We believe that Lum abused his executive level position at the High to access the money and hide what he did for several years,' Moddelmog stated clearly, highlighting the breach of trust involved.
The High Museum of Art represents the largest museum for visual art in the Southeastern United States and operates as a division within the Woodruff Arts Center. This organization also manages the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Alliance Theatre, making it a significant cultural institution in the region.
Investigation and Financial Review
Moddelmog explained that Woodruff launched an investigation in December after museum leadership discovered financial irregularities. The organization took immediate action by hiring law firm King & Spalding to conduct a comprehensive review, plus an independent forensic accountant to thoroughly examine the museum's financial records and systems.
The Woodruff Arts Center released an official statement to WSB-TV assuring stakeholders that this incident should not negatively impact its financial standing. 'We do not anticipate any impact on the High Museum or the Woodruff Art Center's financial stability or operations,' the statement read. 'We’ve engaged an independent forensic auditor and other experts to review this matter and identify improvements to strengthen the High Museum and the Woodruff Art Center's processes.'
Financial Context and Compensation
In fiscal year 2024, Woodruff reported approximately $131.5 million in revenue according to an IRS Form 990, a significant increase from the $99.8 million reported the previous year. During that same fiscal year, Lum earned a salary of $312,374, making him the sixth highest-paid person within the organization. He had made $298,044 in fiscal year 2023, showing consistent compensation at executive levels.
Background and Career History
Lum was originally hired at the museum in February 2019, according to a now-deleted press release from that time. His professional background includes:
- Various leadership positions at Coca-Cola from 1993 to 2008
- COO of Special Olympics International, where he organized operations for 250 associates across seven countries
- Return to Coca-Cola in 2014 as senior vice president and general manager of Coca-Cola/Keurig Ventures North America
The Daily Mail approached Lum for comment regarding the allegations, but no response has been publicly reported at this time. The Woodruff Arts Center emphasized its commitment to strong stewardship of community support, stating: 'We are committed to strong stewardship of the generous support entrusted to us by our patrons and community.'
