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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 24, 2005 Acquitted owner of boat shop files suit By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune A Medford boat dealer is suing Jackson County, several sheriff’s deputies and a competitor for allegedly plotting to harm his reputation and business during the investigation of a criminal case that ended when he was cleared on charges of selling as new a previously wrecked craft. Michael Zoller alleges in his lawsuit that three Jackson County sheriff’s officials acted with malice and made false allegations against him during their investigation, launched in October 2003. Zoller’s Jackson County civil suit additionally states that Bruce Wassum, president and CEO of Rogue Jet Boatworks, aided the police investigation by providing deputies with false information and "substantial assistance and encouragement" during the probe. Zoller, owner of Performance Marine in Medford, is seeking about $1.5 million in compensatory damages, said his attorney, Richard Whittemore of Portland. Zoller was arrested in July 2004 on a felony count of aggravated first-degree theft and several misdemeanor charges, in connection with the sheriff’s department investigation. Police alleged Zoller used false paperwork to sell a boat that was repaired after it was wrecked in California. The felony charge was dismissed before Zoller’s case went to trial in February. A Jackson County jury acquitted Zoller in February on two misdemeanor counts of unlawfully selling a boat with an altered identification number and an additional misdemeanor charge of providing false information to the state Marine Board. Advertisement Zoller was convicted of having a boat with no identification number, a class "C" violation that carries a $100 fine. Jackson County Counsel Mike Jewett said he planned to discuss the case this week with sheriff’s officials named in Zoller’s lawsuit. They include marine deputy Tom Turk, Sgt. Pat Rowland and former Capt. Joe Puckett, who resigned last month. "I’m not surprised (Zoller) filed" the lawsuit, Jewett said. "We are denying liability all the way. The mere fact he was acquitted doesn’t mean it was malicious prosecution." Besides malicious prosecution, Zoller is suing deputies and the county for false arrest, false light, defamation and intentional interference with business relations. The lawsuit additionally alleges Wassum aided and assisted the police investigation by providing deputies with false information. "(Wassum) was helping out a lot" with the investigation, Zoller said this week during a telephone interview. "He doesn’t want us to be in the boat business. It’s pretty obvious." Wassum, also reached this week by telephone, denied the allegations and said he was surprised to find Zoller had named him as a defendant in the lawsuit. "Mike’s making totally unjust accusations against me," Wassum said. "I have no collusion with police. I couldn’t believe I was (named). It’s totally ridiculous and I think he’s searching for stuff." Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e-mail Acquitted owner of boat shop files suit ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Advertisement s