Marsy’s Law founder to seek dismissal of drug trafficking charges

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 2 to determine whether billionaire Henry Nicholas and his companion, Ashley Fargo, who was previously married to a descendant of the founders of Wells Fargo, should face trial on drug trafficking charges.

But attorney David Chesnoff says he’ll be asking Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Karen Bennett-Haron to dismiss the charges.

“We are filing a motion to dismiss the entire matter because the evidence does not support the charges. Dr. Nicholas looks forward to vindication in court and continuing his important philanthropic work and fighting for victims’ rights,” Chesnoff wrote in a statement following an arraignment Monday morning. Nicholas and Fargo remain out of custody without bond.

The two were arrested in Las Vegas in August 2018.  Police say large amounts of narcotics, including methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, heroin, pills believed to be ecstasy and hallucinogenic mushrooms, were in their room. The two did not attend the arraignment.

Nicholas, who funds efforts throughout the U.S. to pass Marsy’s Law, a victim rights initiative, has avoided convictions in the past involving allegations of drug use and prostitution.  Prosecutors requested the judge drop the charges against Nicholas over charges of prosecutorial misconduct.

In a 2007 story in the Los Angeles Times, Nicholas told the paper “the allegations of drug use against him were especially absurd because he had been recognized by authorities for his efforts to boost law enforcement.”