I
n a tense standoff, Ken Mattson slipped into the shadows, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions. A Press Democrat reporter spotted him hastily departing in his black GMC Yukon, driven by his wife Stacy, as Wake Up Sonoma members looked on in silence.
The FBI's investigation into alleged real estate fraud has been ongoing since May, but Mattson remains tight-lipped. His former partner Tim LeFever accused him of embezzling millions and selling nonexistent interests to investors. The fallout has left a devastating impact on those who trusted Mattson, including his friend and confidant, Sarah Gitsham.
Gitsham, 47, has known the Mattsons since high school, when Ken invited her to attend youth group at their church in Fairfield. Over three decades, she remained close to Ken, even asking him to be a pallbearer at her father's funeral in 2023. But now, she's speaking out against him.
"I'm still trying to process the betrayal," Gitsham said, her voice laced with emotion. "My dad would have been heartbroken if he knew his life savings were stolen by someone he trusted."
The investigation has revealed a vast real estate empire built by Mattson and LeFever, valued at an estimated $400 million. But behind the scenes, a rift had developed between the two friends, with LeFever accusing Mattson of funneling millions to his own accounts.
As the situation unfolds, dozens of local properties owned by the defunct partnership are now for sale or pending approval. The last time Gitsham saw Mattson was Memorial Day 2024, when he visited her mother's house and insisted he'd been wronged by LeFever. But she remains unconvinced.
"My mom prays for Ken and Stacy every night," Gitsham said. "I pray for them too – and for God's justice."
Meanwhile, investors like Matt Treger are left wondering about the status of their investments. Despite his support for Gitsham's open letter, he chose not to endorse it due to its religious focus. Instead, he reached out to attorney Fairbank with a simple question: "Can you fill us in on Ken's efforts?"
The response? Silence.
As the investigation continues, one thing is clear: the fallout from Mattson's alleged actions will be felt for years to come.
