Police seize mountain of documents

Surgeon was arrested May 18 on two counts of first-degree theft by deception; police allege he took money from two customers for hot tubs that he could not deliver. He posted bail that night and was not rearrested Wednesday.

Police said Wednesday that at least a dozen more Rogue Valley victims have emerged, both customers and investors in the company.

Though no additional charges have been filed, police said they will seek more counts of theft by deception, as well as charges of racketeering -- alleging that the business was used as a means to commit theft.

"It appears the golden rings are falling apart," said Lt. Tim George, referring to Surgeon's motivational seminar on the "five golden rings" of success.

Surgeon, a 29-year-old Medford man, announced plans earlier this spring to raise $20 million for 25 nonprofit organizations. But since then, two judgments for a total of $65,000 have been filed against him and a host of disgruntled customers and investors have emerged, claiming Surgeon failed to deliver products and owes them money.

George said police are continuing their investigation and believe still more victims will emerge.

"It's not over yet," he said. "We're only in the second or third inning. It's early in the game."

George said police are also working with the Oregon Department of Justice, which is investigating whether Surgeon violated state securities laws.

"It's a complicated case," George said, "one that's going to require a lot of investigating."

Detectives combed through boxes and boxes of documents left in the West Main Street office that Team Americana occupied before being evicted. Computers, desks and other office equipment still fill the space, which Team Americana moved out of last month.