One other case, Theresita and Manuel Cabacungan vs. Specialty Properties Companions LP et al, is extra sweeping.
In that criticism, filed in October 2022 in Solano County Superior Court docket, legal professionals for the Cabacungans allege Mattson accepted $100,000 in 2011 to speculate for the Fairfield couple in actual property, then ignored repeated requests for info over greater than a decade.
The Cabacungans misplaced all of it, the swimsuit claims. They sued for negligence, fraud, monetary elder abuse — they had been of their 60s once they invested the cash — and different counts. The case was settled in January; the phrases are confidential.
Amongst different allegations, the lawsuit requests “a declaration that KS Mattson Companions LLP is a fictitious entity not approved to do enterprise in California however utilized by Defendant Mattson as a part of a shell sport to defraud traders.”
It’s clear from public paperwork, particularly financial institution liens, that Mattson and LeFever have relied on a big group of traders to finance their actual property purchases.
Mattson and LeFever have loads of supporters, too.
Frank Bragg, who now lives in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, wound up promoting a home in Sonoma to KS Mattson Companions. He thinks residents right here ought to embrace individuals “like Ken and his beautiful spouse” for creating tax income that funds colleges, roads and police.
“I can say we had a sale that was 100% great, and there was by no means something he did that was not disclosed,” Bragg stated. “It was the smoothest escrow I’ve had amongst not less than 60 in my life. The person even allowed me after closing to ask him a favor.”
Supervisor Gorin, who stated she understood the considerations of Sonoma Valley residents who opposed the Springs Plaza proposal in her 1st District, spoke warmly of her interactions with the developer.
“I discovered him to be skilled, personable, dedicated to the challenge we’d been engaged on collectively, and definitely artistic and expansive in his considering,” she stated.
However there are lots of Sonoma residents who would reject the constructive assessments.
One among them is David Daniel, who was common supervisor of Ramekins, Normal’s Daughter and elements of the Cornerstone advanced when Mattson LeFever purchased them in January 2019.
(The earlier possession group was led by Darius Anderson, a principal proprietor of The Press Democrat.)
Daniel initially welcomed the acquisition.
Mattson started sharing a grandiose imaginative and prescient of what he would carry to Sonoma, based on Daniel. His plan, he stated, was to accumulate the entire parcels between Cornerstone, just under the Large Bend intersection, and Eighth Road East; the land alongside the deserted railroad right-of-way there; and extra properties alongside the Freeway 12 hall within the Springs.
Daniel was enthusiastic concerning the “bike path” idea. However he observed that each time he would share the plan with others in entrance of Mattson, his new boss would deny having stated it.
“It was a wierd state of affairs for me,” stated Daniel, 56, who grew up in Glen Ellen and has lived in Sonoma Valley for nearly his complete life.
Steve Web page, the retired president of Sonoma Raceway, had his personal frustrations.
Web page lives on a cul-de-sac east of Sonoma metropolis limits. Like lots of people in that neighborhood, he and his spouse usually used a footpath that allowed them to keep away from streets — a few of which don’t have sidewalks — to stroll into downtown.
It was a part of the previous railroad right-of-way, and when Mattson purchased it 4 or 5 years in the past, Web page stated, Mattson informed him it will be a part of the bike path community.
Shortly after the acquisition, Mattson closed the part of path behind certainly one of his properties, telling Web page he needed to fence it off whereas he introduced in some heavy gear for a demolition challenge. He stated the path would reopen when the work was performed.
4 years later, it stays unusable.
“Shutting this path was a big inconvenience, and I’m positive it has not helped his standing amongst of us on this a part of city,” Web page stated.
Within the early months of his possession, based on Daniel, Mattson appeared carefree with cash. Daniel introduced in assist to assist create an HR division, arrange controller duties and employed on-site battle decision consultants.
“If we wanted one thing, I may simply order or buy it,” he stated.
The largesse started to vanish when Mattson introduced in “his individuals” to handle the properties. The staff included a upkeep man, an electrician and a restaurateur. After that, Daniel stated, few initiatives had been resolved or accomplished.
Because the grievances mount, and because the actual property portfolio of LeFever Mattson blooms, an increasing number of Sonoma residents are demanding solutions from Ken Mattson.
“He undoubtedly has this type of ‘aw shucks’ habits, the place he may be very cordial and candy,” Daniel stated.
“However there’s additionally sort of a carny, don’t-look-behind-the-curtain sort of factor. He’s salesperson. And he’s practiced at it.”
You’ll be able to attain Phil Barber at 707-521-5263 or phil.barber@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @Skinny_Post.
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