October 17, 2008 - 4:38PM

'Joe the Plumber's' AZ driver license suspended


Daniel Newhauser, For the Mesa Tribune

A plumbing license is not the only license "Joe the Plumber" is having troubles with. The former Mesa resident has a suspended driver's license and outstanding court fines in Arizona, according to Mesa Municipal Court records.

"Joe," whose real name is Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, was referred to more than 20 times by Republican Sen. John McCain in Wednesday night's presidential debate for questioning Democratic Sen. Barack Obama's tax policy.

The man portrayed by McCain to be the typical, hardworking American revealed this week that he actually does not have a plumbing license, and now court records show he should not have a driver's license either, making it potentially even harder for him to get to work.

Wurzelbacher, who lived in Mesa in 2000 and had an Arizona driver's license, had his driver's license suspended by the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division on May 4, 2000, following a nonpayment of a court-imposed fine for civil traffic violations, according to court records.

America's new political icon, who owes nearly $1,200 in back taxes, according to public records, still owes more than $700 to the Mesa court system.

Records show he was cited for failure to stop at a red light and for failure to provide proof of insurance on Feb. 9, 2000, in a black Dodge truck at the intersection of Dobson and Baseline roads in Mesa.

After failing to pay his original fine of $627.50 issued in March 2000, his license was suspended and the fine was handed over to a collection agency along with a 16 percent surcharge. The now-resident of Holland, Ohio, still owes $727.90 to the Mesa Municipal Court, according to court records.

Nevertheless, Wurzelbacher's driver's license is still valid in Ohio, according to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and was renewed as recently as May 2005. Ohio law requires a license to be renewed every four years, meaning Wurzelbacher likely obtained an Ohio license in 2001, one year after having his Arizona license suspended.

With a suspended license in one state, it should not be possible to get a new license in another, said Cydney DeModica, spokeswoman for the Arizona MVD.

The only way "Joe the Plumber" could have slipped through the cracks is a clerical error in which his driving records were not entered into the Problem Driver Pointer System, the national database of information about people with a checkered driving past, said Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles spokeswoman Lindsay Komlanc.

Komlanc added if the Ohio BMV were to receive the information, appropriate action could be taken, including suspension of his Ohio license.


I'll bet he wishes he would have stayed off the radar screen.

I think its hilarious how a pres candidate took something a ran with it without having his staff research him first!

It was also in the news here in Arizona that he was evicted from his apartment when he lived here.

I really am feeling sorry for the guy. One day he's got a pretty normal life, the next day his entire history is being investigated.

I don't feel a bit sorry for him. He put on an act like he is this BIG ENTREPRENEUR?
He is nothing but a LIAR!
I have no tolerance for liars.
He was driving here without auto insurance.He skips out on paying fines, leaves the state. Skips on paying his taxes.

The guy is a liar and a flake. I sure hope he is not the "typical American". I also hope OHIO pulls his drivers license.

What a LOSER!

you are all missing the point...the issue here is..." spreading the wealth "...Barry Obama's answer...NOT Joe the Plumber...Walter E. Williams is another great American worth reading...here's a quote by him...

"Communism and socialism is [sic] seductive.
It promises us that people will contribute
according to ability and receive according to needs.
Everybody is equal.
Everybody has a right to decent housing,
decent food and affordable medical care.
History should have taught us that when
we hear people talk this stuff -- watch out!"...
gulp !!...who's thought process does that sound like ?...Barry Obama of course...

Walter E williams has a lot of good ideas!

It's sad to see people looking down on this guy from their high pedestals!

Obama came to his house. Obviously Joe has a dream, that doesn't make him a liar.

I've owed back taxes and have had an unpaid ticket or two, some of which took me a few years to pay off. I have also driven a vehicle around with no insurance. However, that didn't stop me from wanting better. I didn't have to settle there. As a result of dreaming a little big at the time, today my bills are paid, I have insurance, I don't have any outstanding tickets, I have insurance and so on. I still dream big and always want to achieve better. One has to start somewhere, and that's usually by asking a few questions followed by action.

Everybody has a right to decent housing,decent food and affordable medical care. I dont know what history your referring to since we have never had any of this stuff (for everyone).

HUH ?

And everybody is (should be) equal

So you think the real issue is about spread the wealth?

We ALREADY do that. It has been like that for many years. This is nothing new?

Go read the IRS TAX Tables. The more you make, the higher your tax rate is.

I can't believe how many middle class people are supporting the notion for the wealthy to pay less tax.

I agree !...my concern is when is enough...enough !!...as we know...turning back is only a dream...

But...you weren't on TV with a Presidential candidate acting like you made over $250,000 and were going to start your own plumbing business. And you didn't even have a plumbing license and made $40,000.

Joe doen't have a dream, he has a fantasy. If he was serious about becoming a plumbing contractor, her should have started by getting his plumbers license!

If you have ever worked with journeymen plumbers as I have, you know how important it is to have proper apprenticeship training and knowledge of the trade. If you F something up, you can make a lot of people sick.

Driving is NOT a right, it is a PRIVILEGE. In Arizona, it is the LAW for you to have insurance.

The guy is a scammer and he has obviously left quite a trail.

what about Barry Obamas answer ?

Yeah, this Joe guy is a fraud.

Exactly!

I don't think he was acting like he made over 250,000 a year, I think he was talking in future tense. Many people do plumbing work under someone else's license. However, a master plumber's license is usually needed to start a plumbing business. I've known several people that had 40,000 annual income that started their own plumbing businesses and are now exceeding the 250,000 mark. I just saying there is nothing wrong with having a dream asking questions, no matter how far out it is. It's good to know the facts before you start in a direction, so you know the obstacles in place.

Why would you look down upon this guy and call him a loser and a liar? He's just trying to live and do better for himself.

Have you ever been in a situation where the cards were stacked against you? Believe it or not, we just don't live in a "perfect" world. If you go digging through any one's past, I'm sure you could always find a flaw or two.

Mister, I do it everyday for a living. Nobody starts in the trade having their plumbing license. Most do start though by having some sort of goal. I've also know someone that started a plumbing business directly after completing apprenticeship school. He didn't say he was going to start a business tomorrow. I do believe he said, "It will be a while, I still have a lot to learn".


If I'm not mistaken, he is in the Plumber's Union and still serving out his apprenticeship. When he tops out, he'll have his plumber's license. It's usually a requirement.