Ex-girlfriend of Broadcom co-founder Henry Nicholas sues for $70 million
Jan. 14, 2016 Updated 8:27 a.m.
By KELLY PUENTE / STAFF WRITER
The former girlfriend of Newport Beach billionaire Henry T. Nicholas III is suing him for $70 million, saying he emotionally and physically abused her and then broke his promise of lifetime financial support.
In a lawsuit filed in Orange County Superior Court on Friday, Melissa Montero, his girlfriend of six years, claims that she tried to help Nicholas as he fell deep into a spiral of drug abuse and his behavior became more erratic.
Montero said she suffered verbal and physical abuse and was forced to flee from Nicholas? Newport Coast home last year for her own safety. She said Nicholas had promised to support her financially for life, but stopped in October.
?Ms. Montero gave up her former life and devoted herself to him completely,? said Montero?s attorney, Alan Greenberg. ?She?s been devastated by this and trying her best to recover.?
The lawsuit claims breach of contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress, assault and battery, and domestic violence.
Nicholas could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Nicholas made his fortune as co-founder of Broadcom Corp. and became a vocal supporter of victims? rights after his sister, Marsalee, was shot to death by her ex-boyfriend in 1983.
In 2008, he was indicted on charges of conspiring to distribute illegal drugs, including methamphetamine and cocaine, but the charges were dropped. That year he also was indicted on securities fraud charges, which also were dropped.
In the 27-page complaint, Montero said she met Nicolas through a friend in 2009, when she was 34 and he was 50. In 2010, the relationship became serious and Montero expressed to him that she wanted children and a lifetime partnership, which he said he also wanted. Montero said Nicholas insisted that she quit her job as a restaurant manager and promised to support her financially if she devoted her life to him.
From 2010 to 2015, Montero said Nicholas gave her $25,000 monthly.
The suit says Nicholas hid the extent of his drug use from Montero and frequently abused cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamine and painkillers. His erratic behavior and verbal abuse worsened over time, the lawsuit says.
Greenberg said Montero was diagnosed with complex post traumatic stress disorder. Montero is seeking $60 million for breach of contract and $10 million in damages.
Contact the writer: kpuente@ocregister.com, 714-834-3773
Jan. 14, 2016 Updated 8:27 a.m.
By KELLY PUENTE / STAFF WRITER
The former girlfriend of Newport Beach billionaire Henry T. Nicholas III is suing him for $70 million, saying he emotionally and physically abused her and then broke his promise of lifetime financial support.
In a lawsuit filed in Orange County Superior Court on Friday, Melissa Montero, his girlfriend of six years, claims that she tried to help Nicholas as he fell deep into a spiral of drug abuse and his behavior became more erratic.
Montero said she suffered verbal and physical abuse and was forced to flee from Nicholas? Newport Coast home last year for her own safety. She said Nicholas had promised to support her financially for life, but stopped in October.
?Ms. Montero gave up her former life and devoted herself to him completely,? said Montero?s attorney, Alan Greenberg. ?She?s been devastated by this and trying her best to recover.?
The lawsuit claims breach of contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress, assault and battery, and domestic violence.
Nicholas could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Nicholas made his fortune as co-founder of Broadcom Corp. and became a vocal supporter of victims? rights after his sister, Marsalee, was shot to death by her ex-boyfriend in 1983.
In 2008, he was indicted on charges of conspiring to distribute illegal drugs, including methamphetamine and cocaine, but the charges were dropped. That year he also was indicted on securities fraud charges, which also were dropped.
In the 27-page complaint, Montero said she met Nicolas through a friend in 2009, when she was 34 and he was 50. In 2010, the relationship became serious and Montero expressed to him that she wanted children and a lifetime partnership, which he said he also wanted. Montero said Nicholas insisted that she quit her job as a restaurant manager and promised to support her financially if she devoted her life to him.
From 2010 to 2015, Montero said Nicholas gave her $25,000 monthly.
The suit says Nicholas hid the extent of his drug use from Montero and frequently abused cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamine and painkillers. His erratic behavior and verbal abuse worsened over time, the lawsuit says.
Greenberg said Montero was diagnosed with complex post traumatic stress disorder. Montero is seeking $60 million for breach of contract and $10 million in damages.
Contact the writer: kpuente@ocregister.com, 714-834-3773
