O.C. billionaire’s ex-aide surrenders

A former key assistant to Broadcom Corp. co-founder Henry T. Nicholas III turned himself in to face charges he violated banking laws.

Craig S. Gunther surrendered at U.S. District Court in Santa Ana and was released on $5,000 bail. Federal prosecutors accuse him of withdrawing more than $500,000 from Nicholas’ accounts in small increments to avoid federal reporting requirements on transactions over $10,000.

Gunther’s lawyer, Robert Corbin, said his client was innocent.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Marc L. Goldman set arraignment for Sept. 10.

For nearly six years, Gunther handled the financial affairs of the Orange County billionaire, who is under investigation in a stock option backdating probe.