ATLANTA (AP) — Records show that a Georgia tax commissioner used public funds to buy a full-sized SUV for his own use.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (http://bit.ly/YS9zDN) that the 2013 Ford Explorer Limited used by Fulton County Tax Commissioner Arthur Ferdinand cost taxpayers $39,000.

The newspaper reports that residents in the metro Atlanta county are funding Ferdinand's daily commute to work, including gasoline.

The purchase came to light when county commissioners raised questions about a routine take-home vehicle report.

Ferdinand did not respond to the Journal-Constitution's phone messages or questions emailed to him Monday.

Fulton County Commissioner Tom Lowe, who represents a portion of north Fulton County, defended Ferdinand, saying he makes more money for the county that anyone else. Lowe said he doesn't care whether the car is "a go-kart or a Cadillac."

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