Customers of a Medford spa and stove store are steamed over what they’re calling fraudulent business practices.

Complaints about spa salesman Chad Milligan have again sparked an investigation by state consumer protection officials and created a storm of local lawsuits. Plaintiffs say Milligan — also known as Sir William Trump Jr. — didn’t deliver goods and services or refund their money.

"There’s a lot of people who have bought stuff that are unhappy with it," said Robin Mitchell, a Central Point carpenter.

Mitchell is among seven parties who have filed civil suits against Milligan this year in Jackson County Circuit Court. Milligan owes him $6,000 for a spa that doesn’t work and is still sitting unused at his home, Mitchell said. Other customers said they never even received their spas or other items they ordered from Milligan.

"We just really think that he was never actually planning on getting it to us," said Eagle Point resident Janelle Scofield of an accessory part ordered in August for her stove.

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After numerous phone calls, Scofield decided she would get her money back. But she and other exasperated customers showed up at 4934 Crater Lake Ave. this month to find the business closed. A sign claimed health issues forced Milligan to shut the doors.

"He’s nothing but an out-and-out con man, I think," said Ian Edwards, an Applegate resident who ordered a woodstove in September and never received it.

It isn’t the first time Milligan, 33, has closed up shop and moved his spas elsewhere. He formerly ran National Spa Brokers at a different Crater Lake Avenue address. Several small claims name Milligan and that business as defendants in 2000 and 2001. Oregon Department of Justice officials looked into a complaint against National Spas in 2003, said spokeswoman Jan Margosian.

Milligan also represented Orley’s Unlimited and Orley’s Too Stoves and Spas in Brookings, leaving behind a trail of court disputes dating to 1992. Milligan’s father, Larry Milligan, owns Orley’s Stoves and Spas at Crater Lake Highway and Delta Waters Road. However, Chad Milligan’s business is not associated with his father’s, said a brother, Larry Milligan Jr.

Chad Milligan gained national attention in 2000 by attempting to legally change his name to Donald Trump Jr. The real Donald Trump objected, and Milligan settled on Sir William Trump Jr. A Circuit Court judge granted the name change in 2001. Several lawsuits against Milligan specify him by that name.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department will consider criminal charges against Milligan, said Sheriff Mike Winters. About 10 people have come forward as victims of Milligan’s alleged scams.

"I think we have something to look at ... if he’s intentionally meant to defraud people," Winters said.

The spa broker was convicted in 1996 of conspiracy to commit a class C felony and ordered to serve probation after police recovered a 1990 Chevrolet Astro van he reportedly drove away from a Brookings car dealership.

Milligan could not be reached for comment. Officers with the state Department of Justice Consumer Protection Division also have been unable to contact him, Margosian said.

Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail slemon@mailtribune.com