Four suspects connected to a real estate company in Grass Valley have been arrested and charged with securities fraud, conspiracy and elder abuse for allegedly operating a Ponzi scheme that bilked dozens of investors of more than $2.3 million, according to California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris. Phillip Lester, 65, and Ellen Lester, 65, who are married, Susan Laferte, 58, and Jon Blinder, 58, were arrested on Thursday in Nevada County and booked into Nevada County Jail.. The arrest declaration alleges that Gold Country Lenders, a real estate company in Grass Valley, engaged in a pattern of theft and fraud-related …