Working for Togetherness, a Chicago HIV-awareness nonprofit, spent $45,000 of public money to fund a tricked-out Hummer, according to new reports from the Chicago Sun-Times. The pre-owned 2003 Hummer, which was purchased in July 2004 for $45,196, was used to promote HIV awareness in low-income black neighborhoods. The SUV had a custom paint job, game consoles, a television and chrome rims. It distributed educational information and provided free on-site HIV tests. When questioned how Working for Togetherness, the now-defunct nongovernmental organization, could afford such a vehicle, its CEO, Clifford Armstead, insisted he and his wife used personal funds to buy it. However, an Illinois Department of Public Health investigation has revealed that the nonprofit in fact used state funds on the Hummer.

To read the Sun-Times article, click here.