The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating a theft of computer equipment from the campaign offices of state Sen. Michael Williams, a Republican candidate for governor.
The GBI said in a police report that investigators were dispatched to Williams’ office in Gainesville on Wednesday after receiving calls about a possible burglary. The report said the investigation is ongoing.
A Williams spokesman, Seth Weathers, said $300,000 worth of computer servers were taken from the office.
Weathers said the servers were being used to mine cryptocurrency, which is the use of computer processing power to run sophisticated blockchain algorithms that produce virtual “coins” that can be sold for cash or used to buy goods.
Weathers said Williams owns a cryptocurrency business and that the building he leases for the servers is also used to house his campaign office. He said the servers were not campaign property.
Williams is one of five GOP candidates in the race for the GOP nomination. An Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll showed him trailing his four rivals ahead of the May 22 primary.
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