Former PSC Candidate Arrested on Felony Charges
Patty Durand, a former candidate for the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) and a prominent critic of Georgia Power, was arrested and charged with felony theft of trade secrets on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. The arrest by Georgia Capitol Police followed an incident during a regulatory hearing in Atlanta, where Durand allegedly took a confidential document.
Allegations of Trade Secret Theft
According to arrest warrants, the alleged theft occurred during a break in a PSC regulatory hearing concerning Georgia Power's request to build new natural gas power plants. Surveillance video reportedly captured Durand picking up a booklet labeled 'Georgia Power Trade Secrets' from a desk, placing it into her purse, and then leaving the meeting room. The incident prompted an investigation, leading to her arrest and booking into the Fulton County Jail.
Background of a Vocal Critic
Durand, a resident of Mableton, Georgia, has been a long-standing advocate for transparency in utility regulation and a vocal critic of Georgia Power. She ran as a Democratic candidate for the PSC in 2022, though that election was ultimately canceled due to litigation over alleged racial discrimination in statewide elections. Following her unsuccessful bid, Durand founded Georgians for Affordable Energy, an organization dedicated to utility oversight and reform. She has frequently expressed concerns about the PSC's practice of allowing extensive redactions and 'trade secret' designations on information presented by Georgia Power, arguing it hinders public oversight. On the day of the alleged theft, Durand had spoken at the hearing, opposing Georgia Power's expansion plans.
Legal Proceedings and Company Response
Durand appeared in court for a bond hearing on October 22, 2025, and was granted a $10,000 bond, with 10% required for her release. She was subsequently released on October 23, 2025. Conditions of her bond include staying away from any 'witnesses' associated with Georgia Power and the Georgia Public Service Commission, having no contact with the commission or its staff, and surrendering her passport to the district attorney's office. Felony theft of trade secrets in Georgia carries a potential penalty of one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. In response to the incident, a spokesperson for Georgia Power stated that the company is 'cooperating with law enforcement' and emphasized that 'theft or exposure of proprietary information is a serious matter' that risks harming the company, its vendors, contractors, and customers.
6 Comments
Bella Ciao
This shows why security is crucial. Good job, Capitol Police.
Karamba
Protecting proprietary information is important for business, but when it concerns a public utility, the balance shifts. This case forces us to reconsider what truly constitutes a 'trade secret' in public hearings.
Comandante
The surveillance video seems pretty damning for Durand, but it also draws attention to Georgia Power's consistent efforts to shield information. Both sides have valid, yet conflicting, points.
Africa
She broke the rules. Plain and simple, she should face the charges.
Bermudez
Stealing is stealing, regardless of motive. End of story.
ZmeeLove
While taking a document without permission is legally problematic, it highlights the ongoing struggle for transparency in utility regulation. There's a fine line between trade secrets and public information.