Miller Barondess Files Lawsuit Alleging Attorney and Law Firms Enabled One of California's Largest Real Estate Ponzi Schemes
Michael Goldberg, Trustee of the LeFever Mattson Liquidation Trust, represented by Miller Barondess, LLP, has filed a lawsuit in Sonoma County Superior Court against attorney Scott C. Smith and the law firms where he practiced, Bingham McCutchen LLP (now Morgan Lewis) and Hanson Bridgett, seeking damages for the defendants’ alleged role in knowingly enabling, facilitating and concealing one of the largest real estate Ponzi schemes in California history.
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According to the complaint, from 2002 to early 2024, Smith served as principal legal adviser to the LeFever Mattson enterprise controlled by Kenneth W. Mattson. Through a web of partnerships and other entities, Mattson sold hundreds of “phantom” real estate interests that either never existed, were not properly recorded, or overstated ownership. Over 700 investors, including retirees and members of Mattson’s church, lost more than $200 million, with some investing their life savings and retirement funds. The interests sold were unregistered, non-exempt securities in violation of federal and state securities laws.
