Georgia Power critic arrested for allegedly stealing trade secrets will not be prosecuted
ATLANTA (AP) — Arrested for alleged advocate and frequent critic of Georgia Power grab your notebook Lawsuits will not be filed against those containing trade secrets.
In a decision filed last week in Fulton County Superior Court, District Attorney Fani Willis said there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Patty Durand for stealing trade secrets, a felony. Surveillance footage from Oct. 21, 2025, shows Durand picking up a notebook labeled “Georgia Power Trade Secrets” lying on a table during a Georgia Public Service Commission meeting recess, flipping through it, and putting it in her purse. He voluntarily returned it to law enforcement that day.
Durand spent almost two days in jail. He went on to criticize Georgia Power for keeping too much information secret. Two Democratic Civil Service Commission said Victories over Republicans Incumbents are showing that voters are fed up with “monopolistic exploitation and abuse.”
Georgia Civil Service Commission It regulates Georgia Power’s rates and must approve it before Georgia Power can build new power plants or transmission lines. The company said releasing certain information publicly would jeopardize its business.
Durand faced one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. Prosecutors decided not to charge him with a misdemeanor, noting that Durand had completed forty hours of community service and a theft awareness class.
Asked for comment Tuesday, Georgia Power reiterated its previous statement that it was cooperating with law enforcement and declined to comment on any investigation.
Durand said he plans to share more of his experiences in the newsletter.
“Now that my mouthpiece is undone, I’m going to tell the story there, and I’m also going to tell you what it’s like to be in prison,” he said.
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Kramon is a syndicated member of the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. report for america is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
