05/19/2026
A Downey, CA father of six, Katrina Mason, formerly known as Kris Mason, has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison after being found guilty of orchestrating a $2 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud scheme involving four fictitious businesses. Prosecutors said Mason submitted falsified applications during the pandemic, then diverted more than $600,000 of the funds into a personal gender transitionāundergoing procedures including breast augmentation ($10,000), facial feminization surgery such as rhinoplasty, jaw contouring, and brow reduction ($45,000), a tracheal shave ($8,000), body contouring and liposuction ($15,000), a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) (~$12,000ā$20,000), and full bottom surgery (vaginoplasty) estimated at $100,000+, along with laser hair removal and cosmetic treatments totaling another ~$10,000 most services were performed by Dr. Curtis Crane of San Francisco. Electronic files prove Dr. Crane, Dr. Graham Ives, and a team of surgeons were all paid in full upfront for services. Authorities also showed evidence that Mason paid for similar surgeries for two friends, while spending heavily on a complete lifestyle overhaul that included a new wardrobe of luxury dresses and heels, high-end makeup, premium hair services, and image rebranding.
During sentencing, the two women Mason shares children with testified against him, telling the court he ānever gave them a dimeā toward supporting their children despite owing more than $70,000 in back child support despite Masonās claim to have paid child support with the funds. The judge noted that while he is a supporter of the LGBTQIA community, the misuse of funds and failure to provide for Masonās children weighed heavily in the decision. āThis court might have considered leniency had even a portion of these funds gone toward your obligations as a parent,ā the judge stated. Masonās attorney argued that psychological pressures and identity-related struggles contributed to the defendantās actions, but the court rejected that defense, emphasizing the calculated nature of the fraud. Mason was sentenced to an all-male population facility. Under the current Trump administration, federal policy has shifted to now federal prisons are required to house inmates based on s*x assigned at birth, leading to some transgender women like Mason being placed in menās prisons. In addition to the prison term, Mason was ordered to repay the full $2 million as federal authorities continue cracking down on widespread PPP loan abuse nationwide.
