The former chief operating officer of the High Museum of Art was arraigned in federal court Tuesday, pleading not guilty to allegations that he used his position to steal more than $600,000 from the museum by doctoring invoices and approving transactions for personal purchases.
The government laid out its case, saying Brady Lum 'repeatedly purchased non-business items and services for himself, including luxury guitars and other music equipment, personal music lessons, and woodworking equipment, through direct supplier invoicing and through the High Museum's corporate credit card reimbursement process.'
Lum resigned in February after an investigation into financial irregularities. The Woodruff Arts Center's Governing Board launched an investigation in December and referred the case to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
U.S. Attorney Theodore Herzberg called the not guilty plea a legal technicality used to get a judge assigned to the case. The defendant is expected to officially change his plea to guilty.
