Breaking news: Henry Samueli steps down as Broadcom chairman

Broadcom's Henry Samueli stepped down as chairman of the Irvine chip maker's board of directors today after federal regulators alleged that he and co-founder Henry T. Nicholas III fraudulently backdated stock options in a five-year scheme.

Samueli, who owns the Anaheim Ducks, also will take a leave of absence as Broadcom's chief technology officer, the company said in a statement. John E. Major, an independent director, was named non-executive chairman.

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-- Chris Gaither

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