Henry Nicholas III

Nicholas co-founded high-tech chipmaker Broadcom Corp. in 1991 and resigned as president and CEO in 2003. In 2008, he was indicted on narcotics and securities fraud charges. The charges in the securities case were dismissed in 2009 and the narcotics case in 2010. The billionaire is an advocate for crime victims and has bankrolled ballot measures in the U.S. to guarantee them and their family members some rights. The so-called "Marsy's Law" victims' bill of rights is named after Nicholas' sister, Marsalee "Marsy" Nicholas, a California college student who was stalked and killed in 1983 by an ex-boyfriend. Nicholas is now facing drug counts after being arrested along with a woman Tuesday August 7 2018 at a Las Vegas Strip casino-resort. The woman, Ashley Fargo, is reportedly the ex-wife of an heir to the Wells Fargo fortune. Forbes 400's bad boy was indicted in U.S. District Court in June 2008 on charges of distributing ecstasy, cocaine and methamphetamine. Colorful indictment alleges former Broadcom chief drugged unknowing customers. In a separate indictment charged with backdating $2.2 billion worth of Broadcom stock options. Nicholas has pleaded not guilty to all charges; released on $3.3 million bail. Met partner Henry Samueli while designing microchips at TRW. Launched Broadcom 1991 out of Nicholas' spare bedroom; designed high-speed telecom chips. Public 1998; shares down 40% in last year. Quit as chief exec in 2003 to "spend time with family." Options trial scheduled for next April, drug case next November.