ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A former Democratic Party Public Service Commission (PSC) candidate was arrested Tuesday and charged with felony theft of trade secrets.
According to her Fulton County arrest warrant, Patty Durand is accused of stealing a booklet owned by Georgia Power that contained confidential information during a Tuesday afternoon PSC meeting with Georgia Power.
The warrant said video evidence shows Durand taking a booklet labeled “Georgia Power Trade Secrets,” putting it in her purse and walking out of the room.
Durand’s arrest comes as early voting continues in Georgia’s overlooked yet hugely important PSC special election in which two Democrats are seeking to unseat two GOP incumbents:
- In District 2, Republican incumbent Tim Echols is being challenged by Democrat Alicia M. Johnson.
- In District 3, Republican incumbent Fitz Johnson is being challenged by Democrat Peter Hubbard.
News of Durand’s arrest brought an almost immediate reaction from Josh McKoon, chairman of the Georgia Republican Party…