School Employee Steals Electricity for Bitcoin Mining: Charges Filed in Massachusetts

A former school assistant facilities director in Cohasset, Massachusetts, is facing charges after allegedly stealing electricity from the school to power a cryptocurrency mining operation. Nadeam Nahas, 39, is accused of running a clandestine crypto mining scheme within a crawlspace at Cohasset High School. The Cohasset Police Department estimates the value of the stolen electricity at nearly $18,000.

QUINCY, Mass. −Nahas, a 39-year-old former town employee, was charged with vandalizing a school and fraudulent electricity use in Quincy District Court. The charges stem from an investigation into suspicious electricity consumption at the high school.

According to reports, Nahas allegedly concealed the Bitcoin mining operation, using the school's electricity to power the energy-intensive process. Law enforcement became aware of the situation after noticing unusually high energy bills at the school. The investigation revealed a hidden setup dedicated to cryptocurrency mining.

The ABC’s Boston affiliate reported that Nahas failed to appear at his initial court hearing, raising further questions and adding complexity to the case. Authorities are now working to ensure his appearance in court to face the charges of stealing thousands of dollars worth of electricity by running a clandestine cryptocurrency operation.

The case highlights the potential for misuse of public resources and the growing concern around the energy consumption associated with cryptocurrency mining. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.