A federal judge in California sentenced an ex-Navy SEAL to prison today after he refused to testify against his employer, former Broadcom CEO, Henry Nicholas.

Stephen "Otter" Otten has refused to utter a word against Nicholas before a federal grand jury investigating illegal backdated stock options at Broadcom. The mulish 30-year-old veteran had been hired to "provide security and companionship for Nicholas' children," according to The Los Angeles Times. Claiming his close bonds with Nicholas and kids effectively made him a part of the family, Otter took jail time for civil contempt in his silence, even after being promised immunity from prosecution.

His attorney argued that doing bird would not loosen Otter's lips, citing his client's past Navy SEAL training in resisting interrogation.

"Sitting over at the Santa Ana jail is simply not going to change his mind," Otter's attorney said.

U.S. District Judge James Selna was ultimately unmoved, ruling there are no legal grounds to excuse Otter from testifying. Selna has scheduled a hearing for June 2 to decide if Otter's jail time will be extended.

Otter's loyalty stands in stark contrast to another former aide and bodyguard of Nicholas, Kenji Kato.

Last year, Kato filed a $3m lawsuit against Nicholas, seeking compensation for work done and emotional stress — claiming his forced participation in drugs, whores, and intimidating Judo chops.

Kato, like Otter, claims he forged a family-like bond with his employer. Though we'd like to assume alleged activities such as spiking a customer's drink with cocaine before hosting an orgy wouldn't enter into the childcare side of Nicholas' bodyguard employment. ®

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