Sources tell the Insider that the Feds are about to hand down an indictment against former Broadcom CEO Nick Nicholas, one of the two “unindicted potential co-conspirators” in the stock options backdating case. The fate of Chairman Henry Samueli is unknown …
On a happy note for Samueli, a jovial President Bush hosted him, his Stanley Cup champion Ducks and Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle at the White House. But the Insider wonders, if the Angels win the World Series, will Pringle or Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa get the invite? …
OC’s old guard,Donald Bren, William Lyon, George Argyros,look smart for backing John McCain early while most of the other big local GOP contributors bet on Mitt Romney or Rudy Giuliani …
Even as SunCal announ- ces a 45-story luxury condo tower in Century City, there’s more uncertainty for the Irvine-based developer: Work has stopped on Marblehead and Pacifica San Juan in South County. Spokesman Joe Aguirre says SunCal has adjusted its timetables but intends to complete both projects …
Inspirational ALS warrior Augie Nieto is turning a hard-earned 50 and heading with Lynne to Puerto Vallarta to celebrate. Augie has raised $12.2 million and counting to find a cure for Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and “Augie’s Quest” is in Amazon’s top 10 of “physical illness and psychiatry” books …
The Mind Research Institute, inspired by late UCI physicist Gordon Shaw and overseen by FileNet founder Ted Smith, is gearing up for the biggest test yet of its music-and-visual teaching methods. The Santa Ana nonprofit is one of 10 publishers recently green-lighted for California’s innovative program to help eighth graders struggling with pre-algebra math; public schools can now use state funds to buy Mind’s curriculum. “For the first time we’re in the classroom Monday through Friday,” says Mind’s Andrew Coulson. He projects the institute will quickly more than double the 50,000 students using its software. Mind raised $3.2 million in donations in 2007 …
Costa Mesa-based body-armor maker Ceradyne ranks third on Forbes’ list of fastest-growing tech companies …
Park Newport Hair in the Back Bay is now a third-generation business,Michelle Long has joined dad Craig Long, aunt Lisa Long and grandmother/boss Lee Long. Lee, who founded the salon with late husband Jim more than 40 years ago, oversees 13 part-time stylists …
State Sen. Lou Correa, D-Santa Ana, the OCBJ’s politician to watch for 2008, can barely contain his glee. The defeat of the Proposition 93 term-limits initiative also ends Don Perata’s leadership, at times a reign of terror for Correa. New Senate Prez Darrell Steinberg is an amiable liberal who gets a thumbs-up from moderate Sweet Lou: “I’m looking forward to an exciting three years” …
The great Willie Brown drops by OC Democratic Party headquarters in Santa Ana Feb. 21 for breakfast and to plug his book, “Basic Brown: My Life and Our Times.”
