Warrants: Consumer activist arrested for stealing Georgia Power 'trade secrets'

ATLANTA — Police at the state capitol arrested a consumer activist who allegedly stole Georgia Power trade secrets after complaining about the power company’s rates.

During a PSC meeting on Tuesday at the Georgia Capitol, Patty Durand lambasted rate hikes by Georgia Power.

Later that same morning, police say surveillance video documented Durand’s interest in some paper left behind in the room during a break. An arrest warrant describes it as a booklet labeled “Georgia Power Trade Secrets.” The warrant says as the room emptied, Durand picked up the book, stuffed it into her purse, then left.

Capitol police arrested Durand afterward. A warrant charged her with theft of trade secrets – a felony charge in Georgia – carrying a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to $50,000.