Fulton County Commissioner Liz Hausmann announced Wednesday that she will drop her lawsuit against Tax Commissioner Arthur Ferdinand, ending a high-profile legal battle between two of the county’s top elected officials.
The lawsuit is set for trial Sept. 14, and the parties have been engaged in settlement talks. But Hausmann said she doesn’t think taxpayers should be on the hook for Ferdinand’s rising legal bills. His legal defense already has cost taxpayers nearly $128,000.
“I was stunned to learn of the magnitude of the cost of legal services paid by Fulton County for Dr. Ferdinand,” Hausmann said in announcing her decision. “It was never my intent for the taxpayers to bear any burden of defending the tax commissioner’s abuse of power.”
Ferdinand’s attorney, Randy Turner, called the announcement “very interesting, to say the least.” But he declined to comment further until Hausmann files the paperwork to dismiss the lawsuit.
Hausmann filed the lawsuit in 2013, arguing Ferdinand revoked her vehicle registration as political payback after she criticized his use of a county take-home vehicle.
Ferdinand has denied the accusation, saying Hausmann did not provide adequate proof of residence. In addition to revoking the registration, he sent a letter to county officials questioning whether she lived in the north Fulton district she represented.
Hausmann said she was separated from her husband and had moved in with her sister, but never lived outside the district. Ferdinand later renewed her registration after Hausmann provided her voter registration as proof of residence. She argued Ferdinand had abused his authority.
Ferdinand tried to have Hausmann’s lawsuit dismissed, appealing all the way to the Georgia Supreme Court. But the high court rejected his appeal.
Meanwhile, his legal bills – paid by Fulton taxpayers – have mounted. To date, the cost is $127,681. Taxpayers also could be on the hook for any damages awarded to Hausmann.
“I am confident a jury would side with me, but I am not willing for Fulton County taxpayers to continue paying the tax commissioner’s defense and any damages that would be the result of Dr. Ferdinand’s conduct,” Hausmann said in a statement announcing her decision.
She said she plans to review county policies on paying the legal expenses of elected officials.
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