A
s the LeFever Mattson real estate empire teeters on the brink of collapse, a glimmer of hope has emerged for investors seeking to recoup their losses. The FBI's investigation into the company and its principals is gaining momentum, with two recent developments poised to accelerate the process.

    The agency has launched an online initiative, inviting potential victims of investor fraud to come forward and share their experiences with LeFever Mattson. By filling out a form on the FBI's website, individuals can provide crucial information that may aid in the investigation and potentially lead to restitution.

    Meanwhile, LeFever Mattson Inc. has filed applications in U.S. Bankruptcy Court to hire real estate brokers to list and sell 60 properties owned by the company. This move could bring investors closer to resolution and free up funds for a potential pool to repay those who claim they are owed money.

    The FBI's probe, which began last spring, has already yielded significant results. Agents have searched Ken Mattson's home, interviewed numerous investors, and subpoenaed information from several individuals associated with the company. The agency's website query represents another step in the investigation, emphasizing that responses are voluntary but may be useful in identifying victims.

    The bankruptcy filings, while less dramatic, could pave the way for a more efficient resolution. LeFever Mattson has proposed hiring Marcus and Millichap, a national brokerage firm with extensive experience in Northern California, to sell 20 properties in Sonoma. The company's local representative, Daniel Casabonne of Sotheby's International, would handle the sale of a dozen additional properties.

    A judge must approve these requests before contracts are signed. This development follows an earlier announcement by a committee of investors that they had appointed FTI Consulting to evaluate and manage LeFever Mattson's vast real estate portfolio. The 60 proposed properties comprise nearly a quarter of the company's holdings, with sites located in Sonoma, Fairfield, Vacaville, Sacramento County, and Napa.

    As the investigation continues, investors remain hopeful that their losses will be recouped. The FBI's efforts to identify victims and facilitate restitution offer a beacon of light in an otherwise tumultuous situation.