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Trump can do without this kind of adoration Mogul objects to Medford man�s desire to be �Donald Trump Jr.� By Shari Downhill The limelight may have grown a bit too bright for a Medford spa salesman who filed a court petition to change his name to Donald Trump Jr. Chad Michael Milligan, 29, claims his quest for the Trump name � made famous because of millionaire mogul Donald Trump�s accumulation of vast real estate wealth � has nothing to do with garnering attention. The real Trump, however, is not so sure of that. His lawyers filed an objection to the petition Tuesday in Jackson County Court. A search of public records also turned up numerous civil and criminal complaints filed against Milligan. The owner of National Spas in Medford, Milligan said Wednesday that changing his name to Trump has been a dream since he was 15. "I based my whole life off of Trump, reading his books," Milligan said. "I feel (Trump) filed the objection as a publicity stunt," Milligan said. "Obviously, it sparked nationwide publicity." But Trump and his legal entourage have a different view. "He claims people around Medford call him Trump anyway," said Portland attorney Richard Baum, who has been retained by Trump to fight Milligan�s petition. "He said that�s his nickname, and now he just wants to make it official." Milligan�s name change attempt may not be as innocent as he claims, Baum�s legal objection points out. "Our clients believe that Mr. Milligan is seeking to change his name to �Donald Trump, Jr.� ... in an attempt to confuse people, possibly including creditors or potential creditors, into believing that he is in some way related to, or otherwise affiliated with ... Mr. Donald Trump and his Trump companies," the objection says Milligan contacted Baum at his Portland office to inquire about the objection. "He claims he doesn�t want any attention from this," Baum said. "I find that hard to believe. He obviously is a little bit obsessed with Mr. Trump." Trump�s objection to Milligan�s request centers around a perceived violation of publicity and trademark rights associated with the Trump name. It also suggests Milligan is attempting to glean financial integrity from the change. "Mr. Trump ... is a famous person with rights of publicity and trademark rights in his name, as well as a reputation for creditworthiness and for possessing significant financial means," Baum�s objection reads. Court records indicate Milligan�s financial dealings, mostly in spa sales, have landed him in small-claims court as a defendant a number of times since 1988. Records show delinquent bills, delinquent child-support payments and landlord evictions. In June 1996, Milligan was charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle after police recovered a 1990 Chevrolet Astro van he reportedly drove away from a Brookings car dealership. "He�s a snake," said Robin Matouch, one of Milligan�s former spa customers. "That man shouldn�t be in business. He�s a crook." Matouch said Milligan duped her and her husband out of their hot tub deposit after the couple grew skeptical. A small-claims court judge agreed with them, but Milligan returned only about half the initial $1,000 down payment � the cost of the "restocking fee" he told the couple he would be taking for his trouble. Albert Bristow, a former installer with a Medford stove and spa business, said he often would have to deal with customers angry over Milligan�s inflated sales promises. "The guy�s as crooked as the Snake River," Bristow said of Milligan. "... There was no way we could do what he told (customers) we could do." But Milligan said that�s all in the past. "It�s like �The Art of the Comeback,� " Milligan said, referring to the story of Trump�s climb to financial heights. "The most famous people in the world have had their problems." Milligan�s attempt to abandon his former persona would not be in the best public interest, Baum argues. "Since there is absolutely no such connection, this attempt by Mr. Milligan is improper and potentially deceptive, particularly in that Mr. Trump already has a son named Donald Trump Jr. "I don�t think the Trump people want to make a huge deal out of this, frankly," Baum said. "It�s just a silly little thing that unfortunately gets people�s attention." But Milligan said he would press forward. "Donald Trump�s main theory is, if you want something, fight like hell. I�m not going to give up just because his legal team has filed a legal objection. "He doesn�t own the name Donald Trump," he said. "And he doesn�t own the name Donald Trump Jr." Reach reporter Shari Downhill at 776-4463, or e-mail [email protected]. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.