Fraud accused gets court-appointed lawyer

A man charged with defrauding investors of $16.8 million will have a publicly funded defence lawyer for his trial.

However, Ronald Jerry Fast, 70, must contribute $20,000 toward his defence, Justice Gerald Allbright ruled Friday in Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench.

Fast’s health is so poor that he needs to be represented by a lawyer for his multi-week trial, but it’s obvious he can’t afford one — at an estimated cost of $75,000 — Allbright said. He noted there appears to be some “wriggle room” in the ability of Fast’s wife to secure a loan for $20,000.

“I think the principle is very important, where an individual has the means to contribute, it should not be the sole responsibility of the public purse to fund that defence,” Allbright said.

He appointed Saskatoon lawyer Michael Nolin as Fast’s lawyer, providing that Fast deposits $20,000 with court services by Nov. 10.

Fast and his daughter, Danielle Fast-Carlson, are charged with fraud over $5,000, possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000 and making false statements regarding the financial position of Marathon Leasing Corp., a Saskatoon company that leased personal vehicles to high-risk borrowers.

The case involves more than 100 investors who allegedly lost $16.8 million.

The trial starts next month.