A prominent Georgia Democratic activist and former candidate has been arrested and charged with felony theft following an incident inside the state Capitol that authorities say involved the unauthorized removal of sensitive materials.
Patty Durand, who previously ran for a seat on Georgia’s Public Service Commission and is a vocal critic of Georgia Power, was taken into custody by Georgia Capitol Police and formally charged earlier this week. The arrest stems from allegations that she unlawfully took documents containing proprietary information during a public regulatory hearing.
Allegations Tied to Utility Regulation Hearing
The incident occurred during a Public Service Commission proceeding focused on Georgia Power’s proposal to significantly expand electricity generation capacity. The request, which includes power intended largely for large-scale data centers, has been controversial due to concerns about future rate increases for consumers.
According to reporting by Georgia Public Broadcasting, surveillance footage from the hearing appears to show Durand approaching a desk where official documents were placed, briefly handling a booklet, and then moving away. Moments later, video reportedly captures her taking a similar booklet from another desk, placing it inside her bag, and exiting the room.
Georgia Power has characterized the materials as containing protected trade secrets and has accused Durand of theft. Law enforcement officials have not publicly detailed the exact contents of the documents but confirmed that the charge is being treated as a felony due to the nature of the information involved.
Durand’s Role as a Utility Watchdog
Durand has built a public profile as a utility watchdog and consumer advocate. She runs Georgia Utility Watch and recently founded Georgians for Affordable Energy, organizations that frequently challenge the Public Service Commission and Georgia Power over transparency, infrastructure expansion, and pricing.
In a previous interview, Durand criticized what she described as excessive secrecy surrounding agreements between Georgia Power and major data center operators. She argued that redactions and trade-secret protections prevent the public from knowing whether large corporate customers receive preferential rates that could ultimately be offset by higher costs for ordinary ratepayers.
Those criticisms have placed her in direct opposition to Georgia Power and, at times, PSC regulators.
What Authorities Are Saying
Officials have not publicly stated what they believe Durand intended to do with the documents she allegedly removed. Georgia Power has confirmed that it is cooperating with investigators, and the matter remains under active review.
The Georgia Recorder noted that the PSC hearing in question involved a request to add nearly 10,000 megawatts of generating capacity to the state’s power grid. Roughly 60 percent of the proposed increase would come from new or expanded natural gas facilities, with the remainder sourced from renewable energy.
Such expansions carry long-term financial implications for consumers, making the proceedings politically and economically sensitive.
Legal and Political Fallout
Durand has not publicly commented in detail on the charges as of this writing. It is not yet clear whether she plans to contest the allegations in court or argue that the materials were improperly classified or made accessible in a public forum.
The case is already drawing attention in Georgia political circles, particularly given Durand remembers her alignment with Democratic causes and her past candidacy for statewide office. Critics argue the incident undermines claims of ethical oversight, while supporters insist the case highlights broader transparency issues within utility regulation.
For now, the legal process will determine whether the incident was an intentional act of theft or a misunderstanding escalated by corporate interests and regulatory secrecy.
What is clear is that the arrest adds another layer of controversy to an already contentious debate over energy policy, corporate influence, and public accountability in Georgia.