County officials are worried that the price of defending three people accused of multiple counts of real estate fraud could have adverse effects to the county’s financial health. Deputy County Executive Officer Joe Christoffel warned the board of supervisors last week that the county expects another decline in property tax revenue to the tune of about $400,000, but a larger problem in the form of the indigent defense fund looms. Christoffel said preliminary estimates for the defense of Phillip Lester, CEO of Gold Country Lenders, and Susan Laferte, the firm’s chief financial officer, and Ellen Lester may exceed $600,000 annually. …































