K
en Mattson, a 63-year-old Sonoma developer and real estate investor, was arrested by the FBI on Thursday morning as a federal grand jury indictment was unsealed. The indictment charges Mattson with nine felony counts of wire fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice in connection with a long-running scheme to defraud investors.

    Mattson's business partner, Tim LeFever, had accused him of selling nonexistent investment stakes and diverting $75 million into personal accounts. A year ago, LeFever made these claims, which Mattson has denied. Since then, six lawsuits have been filed against both men and their bankrupt partnership on behalf of investors who claim they were promised ownership stakes in property purchases but received nothing.

    Mattson's real estate empire, valued at $400 million, included a large portfolio of commercial and residential properties in Sonoma County. However, many of these properties were left dormant or in disrepair, sparking community backlash from the Wake Up Sonoma activist group. Mattson faces up to 20 years in prison for each of seven wire fraud counts, one count of money laundering carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, and he could also be forced to forfeit properties and pay restitution if convicted.