Panel reverses judge’s ruling on Broadcom evidence

PASADENA, Calif. — A federal appeals court has reversed a judge’s decision to exclude evidence from the trial of a former Broadcom Corp. executive charged in an alleged stock options backdating scheme.

A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that former chief financial officer William Ruehle failed to establish attorney-client privilege in discussions he had with company lawyers in 2006.

Federal prosecutors had wanted to use notes from these conversations in their case against Ruehle but had been denied by U.S. District Judge Cormac J. Carney.

Ruehle and Broadcom co-founder Henry T. Nicholas III are charged with conspiracy, securities fraud and wire fraud.

Ruehle is scheduled for trial Oct. 20.

Information from: The Orange County Register, www.ocregister.com