ILOVEDNY
October 29th, 2008, 07:40 AM
Records searches anger Joe the Plumber.
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/10/28/joe29.html?sid=101
Authorities in Toledo and Cleveland confirmed today that workers accessed Wurzelbacher's driving record and vehicle information through state computer systems in checks uncovered by The Dispatch.
"It bothers me greatly," Wurzelbacher said as he joined former Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Portman and small-business owners on a bus tour to back McCain and attack Obama's tax policies.
"I'd like to see justice done," he said. "That's just for other people who dare ask their elected officials a question. They shouldn't have to go through the scrutiny that I've gone through."
The Toledo Police Department announced that a records clerk improperly pulled Wurzelbacher's information on behalf of a reporter for a Toledo television station the day after the Oct. 15 presidential debate.
The clerk has been charged with gross misconduct and faces a disciplinary hearing, said Chief Michael Navarre. He declined to identify the TV station but said the reporter confirmed asking for a check on Wurzelbacher's address.
The Cuyahoga County Child Support Enforcement Agency also said an employee's computer was used to improperly access Bureau of Motor Vehicles records on Wurzelbacher. The employee denies involvement.
Another access of Wurzelbacher's information, by an outside contractor with access to an attorney general's office test account, is being investigated by the State Highway Patrol.
Inspector General Thomas P. Charles also is investigating why the director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services approved a check on Wurzelbacher through the state's child-support computer system.
Director Helen Jones-Kelley said that after a "team meeting," she OK'd the check because the department often runs inquiries to check for unpaid child support on people thrust into "the public spotlight."
Wurzelbacher said he has custody of his 13-year-old son and neither pays nor receives child support, leaving him puzzled about why he would be checked.
Jones-Kelley said there were no political motivations behind the check. The Democratic appointee has contributed the maximum $2,300 to the Obama campaign this year, according to Federal Election Commission records.
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/10/28/joe29.html?sid=101
Authorities in Toledo and Cleveland confirmed today that workers accessed Wurzelbacher's driving record and vehicle information through state computer systems in checks uncovered by The Dispatch.
"It bothers me greatly," Wurzelbacher said as he joined former Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Portman and small-business owners on a bus tour to back McCain and attack Obama's tax policies.
"I'd like to see justice done," he said. "That's just for other people who dare ask their elected officials a question. They shouldn't have to go through the scrutiny that I've gone through."
The Toledo Police Department announced that a records clerk improperly pulled Wurzelbacher's information on behalf of a reporter for a Toledo television station the day after the Oct. 15 presidential debate.
The clerk has been charged with gross misconduct and faces a disciplinary hearing, said Chief Michael Navarre. He declined to identify the TV station but said the reporter confirmed asking for a check on Wurzelbacher's address.
The Cuyahoga County Child Support Enforcement Agency also said an employee's computer was used to improperly access Bureau of Motor Vehicles records on Wurzelbacher. The employee denies involvement.
Another access of Wurzelbacher's information, by an outside contractor with access to an attorney general's office test account, is being investigated by the State Highway Patrol.
Inspector General Thomas P. Charles also is investigating why the director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services approved a check on Wurzelbacher through the state's child-support computer system.
Director Helen Jones-Kelley said that after a "team meeting," she OK'd the check because the department often runs inquiries to check for unpaid child support on people thrust into "the public spotlight."
Wurzelbacher said he has custody of his 13-year-old son and neither pays nor receives child support, leaving him puzzled about why he would be checked.
Jones-Kelley said there were no political motivations behind the check. The Democratic appointee has contributed the maximum $2,300 to the Obama campaign this year, according to Federal Election Commission records.