Sonoma County real estate developer Ken Mattson, who is currently facing a Ponzi scheme lawsuit and is out on $4 million bail, was involved in a car accident near his home last Friday. According to the California Highway Patrol, Mattson drove his 2025 GMC Sierra through a gate and fence, continued through a horse pasture, and crashed into a tree. The incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. on Vineyard Lane at Bartholomew Road near the Haraszthy Villa and Bartholomew Estate Winery.
Despite the crash, authorities reported that Mattson sustained “virtually no injuries.” He was airlifted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital’s regional trauma center for evaluation. CHP spokesperson Marc Renspurger stated that the report on the accident had not yet been completed and could not provide additional details such as suspected speed or whether any sobriety tests were administered at the scene.
Mattson has been under scrutiny since federal agents raided his Castle Rock home last year. His former business partner Timothy LeFever accused him of moving funds from their joint business accounts into personal ones. Several investors have also claimed that their investments with Mattson disappeared.
In May, federal authorities arrested Mattson, alleging he ran “a classic Ponzi scheme” that defrauded hundreds of retirees and other investors of tens of millions of dollars. Mattson pleaded not guilty to 22 charges including wire fraud and money laundering and maintains his innocence.
At one point, Mattson and LeFever controlled a property portfolio across Sonoma County valued at more than $146 million. They also owned properties in Sacramento and Southern California with an estimated worth of about $413 million.
“Virtually no injuries,” according to California Highway Patrol.
