Raleigh, N.C. — The head of North Carolina's revenue department said Friday that the agency's travel expenses have been re-examined following a WRAL News investigation in May.

"We have examined our existing policies and practices related to necessary business travel," Secretary Kenneth Lay said in a statement. "To the extent possible, we are maximizing the use of technology to minimize costs and travel. We have also requested state vehicles for employees whose job requires significant travel."

WRAL Investigates reported last month on two Department of Revenue workers who are paid to commute from their homes in the Charlotte area to the department's office in Raleigh.

John Sadoff, who makes $119,000 annually to head up the tax compliance division, was reimbursed more than $42,000 for mileage, food and lodging costs during the last two years. Alan Woodard, who earns $93,000 as director of examinations, got back nearly $36,000.

Lay defended the spending, but lawmakers questioned it, especially in the midst of a tight budget and cutbacks elsewhere.

WRAL ran calculations that showed using state motor fleet vehicles instead of personal cars would reduce expenses by thousands of dollars, based on mileage.