$5 million settlement reached with embattled Wine Country investor

February 8, 2026 - 06:10

A prominent Northern California real estate investor has agreed to a multi-million dollar settlement following allegations of fraud linked to his business partner. Timothy LeFever, of the firm B and B Partners, will pay $5 million to help compensate investors who suffered losses.

The settlement stems from a lawsuit filed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. The state regulator alleged that LeFever's longtime business partner, Brent Borland, operated a Ponzi scheme through their real estate investment funds. Borland is accused of using money from new investors to pay returns to earlier ones while diverting millions for personal use.

While not admitting to the specific allegations against Borland, LeFever has agreed to the financial settlement to resolve the state's claims against him. The $5 million will be distributed to affected investors. The case has sent ripples through the Wine Country investment community, where the pair were once seen as established figures. The settlement marks a significant step toward recovering funds for those who invested in the ventures, though the separate criminal and civil proceedings against Borland continue.