Anticipating to foot a more than $600,000 bill annually to defend three individuals embroiled in major real estate fraud case, Nevada County officials are seeking the aid of statewide agencies to avoid “a financial disaster,” said county Executive Officer Rick Haffey in a Friday memo. Philip Lester, CEO of Gold Country Lenders, his wife, Ellen, along with Susan Laferte, the firm’s chief financial officer, and Jonathan Blinder face charges that allege that their organization engaged in a pattern of theft and fraud-related crimes for over eight years, bilking investors of more than $2.3 million. While Blinder did not request or …