Government Computers Used to Get Information on 'Joe the Plumber'

Public records reveal driver's license and SUV information on 'Joe the Plumber' was obtained from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles database.

Ohio officials are investigating whether government computer systems were illegally accessed to acquire personal information about "Joe the Plumber," The Columbus Dispatch reports.

Public records requested by The Dispatch reveal information on Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher's driver's license or his sport-utility vehicle was pulled from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles database.

Information on Wurzelbacher was obtained on Oct. 17 through an account used by the Cuyahoga County Child Support Enforcement Agency in Cleveland, The Dispatch reported records as showing.

Access to such information from BMV computers is restricted to legitimate law enforcement and government business.

The Dispatch reported that information on Wurzelbacher was accessed by accounts assigned to the office of Ohio Attorney General Nancy H. Rogers, the Cuyahoga County Child Support Enforcement Agency and the Toledo Police Department.

It has not been determined who checked on Wurzelbacher, or why, The Dispatch reported.

The investigation could become "criminal in nature," attorney general's office spokeswoman Jennifer Brindisi told The Dispatch.

Wurzelbacher expressed frustration over the incident.

"It upsets me greatly, to be honest with you," Wurzelbacher told FOX News' Neil Cavuto on Saturday. "For a private citizen to ask a question of his elected leaders and then turn around and get a proctology exam, that's just kind of wrong."

Click here to read more from The Columbus Dispatch.

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