Tech billionaire Henry Nicholas and his female friend pay $1 million in plea deal to avoid prison

Publish date: 2024-05-07

A technology billionaire and his female friend have paid $1 million to avoid prison time after police discovered cases of heroin, cocaine and other drugs in the pair's hotel room following a medical emergency.  

Henry Nicholas and co-defendant Ashley Fargo entered so-called 'Alford pleas' Wednesday in court to two felony drug possession charges, acknowledging evidence against them without admitting guilt in the drug case.

Defense attorney David Chesnoff says they have contributed the funds to three Las Vegas-area youth and drug rehabilitation programs.

Nicholas and Fargo could have their cases dismissed in a year if they complete community service and counseling.

Henry Nicholas III, left, and Ashley Fargo paid $1 million to avoid prison time while acknowledging evidence against them without admitting guilt in a Las Vegas Strip hotel room drug case. The pair entered Alford pleas on Wednesday in Nevada state court

Henry Nicholas III, left, and Ashley Fargo paid $1 million to avoid prison time while acknowledging evidence against them without admitting guilt in a Las Vegas Strip hotel room drug case. The pair entered Alford pleas on Wednesday in Nevada state court

Henry Nicholas III Ashley Fargo

Billionaire Broadcom co-founder Henry Nicholas III (left), 59, and his girlfriend Ashley Fargo (right), have been arrested in Las Vegas in drug trafficking charges  

Police reported finding heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and psychedelic substances in travel cases in their hotel room in August 2018. 

The incident unfolded when controversial tech tycoon and philanthropist Henry Nicholas III was unable to enter his room at the four-star Encore Hotel and called security.

When hotel personnel gained access into the room, they reportedly found Nicholas' girlfriend, Ashley Fargo, lying unresponsive with a partially inflated balloon sticking out of her mouth. 

Paramedics who were summoned to the scene were able to revive Fargo, after which hotel security began questioning Nicholas about the balloon and canisters found in the room. 

Nicholas and Fargo denied owning the cases. 

An attorney for the billionaire and his friend said: 'Dr. Nicholas and Ms. Fargo have always maintained their innocence, and today’s resolution allows them to put this matter behind them while making meaningful contributions to Las Vegas organizations focused on fighting the scourge of drug addiction. 

'In addition to the financial donations they have already made, Dr. Nicholas and Ms. Fargo are eager to begin their community service.'

Police reportedly discovered cases stuffed with marijuana, cocaine, heroin and ecstasy inside Nicholas' hotel room at Encore Las Vegas 

Police reportedly discovered cases stuffed with marijuana, cocaine, heroin and ecstasy inside Nicholas' hotel room at Encore Las Vegas 

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Nicholas is 59 and co-founded Broadcom in a California garage in 1991 but stepped down as president and CEO in 2003. Forbes estimates his net worth at almost $4 billion.

Broadcom is now a publicly traded Fortune 500 computer software, semiconductor and infrastructure company.

Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson sadi: 'In addition to Mr. Nicholas and Ms. Fargo getting their own treatment, their substantial donations to local drug treatment programs will help hundreds in our community who suffer from substance abuse and addiction disorders.

'It is literally a game-changer for the programs receiving these funds, and the citizens they help every day.' 

 

 

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