In a complex legal battle, two plaintiffs have filed a lawsuit accusing a Minnesota-based company and its owner of orchestrating a fraudulent real estate scheme. The complaint was filed by Darin Davis and Christian-Adair Partners, LLC in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin on December 4, 2025, against Northwoods Management, LLC and its sole member, Matthew T. Onofrio.
The plaintiffs allege that Onofrio, who has a criminal history involving bank fraud, manipulated them into purchasing a property at an inflated price through deceitful practices. The complaint details how Onofrio misrepresented the purchase price of the East Springs Drive Shopping Center in Madison, Wisconsin. While Northwoods had contracted to buy the property for $10.4 million, Onofrio allegedly convinced Davis to purchase it for $12.85 million. This deception was part of what is described as a “carryback note” fraud scheme designed to defraud individual investors by inflating property values and securing higher loans.
The lawsuit further accuses Onofrio of steering Davis away from independent legal counsel to use attorneys affiliated with him and manipulating financial appraisals to secure favorable financing terms. Plaintiffs claim that these actions were part of a broader scheme by Onofrio and Northwoods to defraud them out of millions.
Davis and Christian-Adair Partners are seeking multiple forms of relief from the court. They request that the court declare certain loan documents void due to fraudulent inducement and intentional misrepresentation. Additionally, they seek damages exceeding $3 million under Wisconsin Statute § 100.18 for deceptive trade practices, along with punitive damages for slander of title after Northwoods improperly recorded a mortgage against their property.
Representing the plaintiffs is attorney Jessica L. Puetz from Amundsen Davis, LLC. The case is presided over by judges in the Western District of Wisconsin under Case No: 25-cv-999.
Source: 325cv00999_Davis_v_Northwoods_Management_LLC_Complaint_Western_District_Wisconsin.pdf