The two principal defendants in a high-profile fraud case have posted bail after proving there was a legitimate source for the funds. Philip Lester, CEO of Gold Country Lenders, and Susan Laferte, the firm’s chief financial officer, had been in custody at the Nevada County Jail since their arrest Sept. 20. Initially, their bail had been set at $600,000, but that was reduced Oct. 25 to $150,000. Lester was released Monday, and Superior Court Judge Candace Heidelberger OK’d Laferte’s release Tuesday morning. Laferte, Philip Lester, his wife, Ellen, and Jonathan Blinder all are facing charges that allege Gold Country Lenders …
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