Unpaid taxes from mega mortgage agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could inspire DeKalb County officials to be the torchbearer in statewide legal efforts to recoup millions of dollars for numerous counties.

The DeKalb County Board could authorize the filing of a lawsuit at tonight’s regular monthly meeting in hopes of recovering more than $40,000 in unpaid transfer taxes spanning more than five years in which Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac claimed exemptions as a government entity on property purchases and sales.

DeKalb County Clerk John Acardo said the potential haul likely would be much larger. He is looking back at records as old as 10 years ago and would pursue interest on the late payments.