“Joe the Plumber,” who rose from anonymity to the national spotlight when Arizona Sen. John McCain made him a cause at Wednesday’s presidential debate, left a trail of tax liens and court records in connection with minor infractions in Ohio and Arizona, including Mesa.

His real name is Samuel Wurzelbacher, he lived in a west Mesa apartment and was summoned to appear in South Mesa Justice Court twice, the first time in November 2000 on a notice forcible detainer, a written demand to vacate an apartment he was renting.

The second case, dismissed in November 2001, involved an issue between Wurzelbacher and Montgomery Ward Credit Corp.

Court officials said files of both cases were destroyed because of their age and connection with minor issues.

In addition to Arizona, records show that Wurzelbacher faced liens and judgments in Holland and Toledo, Ohio in 2007.

The states are among four he has lived in, records show. Wurzelbacher also lived in Tucson for awhile.

#########

NOTE:

Well, here’s another funny coincidence: Joe the Plumber lived in Arizona from 1997-2000.

He lived at 1960 W. Keating Ave in Mesa, Arizona. There’s that name again– KEATING. It turns out that Keating Ave is named after– you guessed it– CHARLES KEATING, who developed the real estate in the 1970s.