Tech billionaire, friend get no-jail plea deal in Las Vegas drug case

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A California technology billionaire and his friend have paid $1 million to avoid prison time while acknowledging evidence against them without admitting guilt in a Las Vegas Strip hotel room drug case.

Henry Nicholas and co-defendant Ashley Fargo entered Alford pleas Wednesday in Nevada state court to two felony drug possession charges.

Defense attorney David Chesnoff says they've contributed the agreed-upon 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.

"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," Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said in a statement.

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

Nicholas and Fargo denied owning the cases.

Nicholas is 59 and co-founded Broadcom. Forbes estimates his net worth at almost $4 billion.