Ex- Sheriff Carona and Broadcom’s Nicholas Criminal Cases are Related
BY MICHAEL WEBSTER: SYNDICATED INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER, Dec 2, 2008 at 2:30 PM PST
The Laguna Journal has learned that both the former Orange County sheriff Michael Carona and Broadcom's billionaire Henry T. Nickolas III's federal criminal cases are related. Back in Oct 2008 the Laguna Journal reported that a federal lawsuit alleges that former O.C. sheriff Michael Carona trafficked in drugs along with Broadcom's billionaire Henry T. Nickolas III.
According to documents obtained by the Laguna Journal plaintiff Randy Lee Soderstrom formerly a long time employee of Nicholas claims that he personally delivered cocaine to both Nickolas and Carona and at an unidentified Laguna Beach home he witnessed Carona and Nicholas snort cocaine together.
The lawsuit further alleges that Soderstrom also witnessed Nicholas giving large some of cash to Carona in manila envelope.
Soderstrom also alleges in a letter that "Carona was in fact deeply immersed in Nicholas's enterprises" and asserts that "Carona also enjoyed the company of underage females and males".
Soderstrom says he is welling to testify in both criminal trials involving Carona and Nicholas.
Soderstrom's information involves illegal players from Orange County to Washington D.C. Some close observers of the case's believe it could involve the Securities Exchange commission (SEC). According to Soderdtrom this "involves some of the most powerful people you will ever hear about, stretching from this state all the way to D.C.." Soderstom as a trusted employee of Nicholas transported drugs and cash for the billionaire. "I know because I moved a lot of cocaine and cash for these people" Soderstrom wrote.
Soderstrom, alleges in the federal racketeering lawsuit that he began supplying cocaine, ecstasy and other drugs to Nicholas after his employer, a travel company, assigned him in 2000 to work full time at Broadcom. Nicholas was chief executive and chairman of the board of the Irvine computer chip firm.
Nicholas is awaiting trial on federal drug and stock-manipulation charges and Carona is currently in trial facing corruption and other federal charges.
According to the L. A. Times Soderstrom was convicted in Orange County in 2004 of attempted robbery, attempted voluntary manslaughter and other crimes and sentenced to 12 years in prison. He now is an inmate in Folsom Prison. He maintains that the prosecution was a setup, with lying witnesses linked to Nicholas. He has also filed a habeas corpus petition in federal court asking that his conviction be overturned.
For related articles by Michael Webster go to or Google: www.lagunajournal.com or MICHAEL WEBSTER'S OTHER WRITINGS
The Laguna Journal has learned that both the former Orange County sheriff Michael Carona and Broadcom's billionaire Henry T. Nickolas III's federal criminal cases are related. Back in Oct 2008 the Laguna Journal reported that a federal lawsuit alleges that former O.C. sheriff Michael Carona trafficked in drugs along with Broadcom's billionaire Henry T. Nickolas III.
According to documents obtained by the Laguna Journal plaintiff Randy Lee Soderstrom formerly a long time employee of Nicholas claims that he personally delivered cocaine to both Nickolas and Carona and at an unidentified Laguna Beach home he witnessed Carona and Nicholas snort cocaine together.
The lawsuit further alleges that Soderstrom also witnessed Nicholas giving large some of cash to Carona in manila envelope.
Soderstrom also alleges in a letter that "Carona was in fact deeply immersed in Nicholas's enterprises" and asserts that "Carona also enjoyed the company of underage females and males".
Soderstrom says he is welling to testify in both criminal trials involving Carona and Nicholas.
Soderstrom's information involves illegal players from Orange County to Washington D.C. Some close observers of the case's believe it could involve the Securities Exchange commission (SEC). According to Soderdtrom this "involves some of the most powerful people you will ever hear about, stretching from this state all the way to D.C.." Soderstom as a trusted employee of Nicholas transported drugs and cash for the billionaire. "I know because I moved a lot of cocaine and cash for these people" Soderstrom wrote.
Soderstrom, alleges in the federal racketeering lawsuit that he began supplying cocaine, ecstasy and other drugs to Nicholas after his employer, a travel company, assigned him in 2000 to work full time at Broadcom. Nicholas was chief executive and chairman of the board of the Irvine computer chip firm.
Nicholas is awaiting trial on federal drug and stock-manipulation charges and Carona is currently in trial facing corruption and other federal charges.
According to the L. A. Times Soderstrom was convicted in Orange County in 2004 of attempted robbery, attempted voluntary manslaughter and other crimes and sentenced to 12 years in prison. He now is an inmate in Folsom Prison. He maintains that the prosecution was a setup, with lying witnesses linked to Nicholas. He has also filed a habeas corpus petition in federal court asking that his conviction be overturned.
For related articles by Michael Webster go to or Google: www.lagunajournal.com or MICHAEL WEBSTER'S OTHER WRITINGS
