A federal judge has set two trial dates for Broadcom co-founder Henry T. Nicholas III, one on drug charges and one on corporate fraud charges. Nicholas, 48, was indicted by a federal grand jury last month on multiple counts of conspiracy, securities fraud and other charges related to an alleged scheme to illegally backdate stock options. A second indictment charged Nicholas with drug violations, including allegations he slipped ecstasy into the drinks of business associates, maintained a drug warehouse and concealed illegal conduct with bribes and death threats. Nicholas has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is free on more than $3 million bail. On Tuesday U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney set Nicholas' trial on the fraud charges for April 7, 2009. The drug trial will follow on Nov. 10, 2009. |