Prosecutors said Michael Nichols was a key middleman in former sheriff Laurie Smith’s illegal pay-for-play gun permit scheme, introducing executives at AS Solution Inc., a company seeking gun permits, to local lawyers and and the Sheriff's Office. 

An additional indictment was handed down for Capt. James Jensen, who was among several defendants already charged in the case.  

Martin Nielsen and Jack Stromgren pleaded guilty today to allegations that they plotted to exchange bribes for CCW permits.

Capt. James Jensen, attorneys Harpaul Nahal and Christopher Schumb and gun dealer Michael Nichols go to trial on Nov. 2.

District Attorney Jeff Rosen can continue to prosecute five defendants accused of plotting to exchange bribes for hidden-gun permits.

The DA actively courted the same political fundraiser he’s now prosecuting for allegedly illegally helping Sheriff Smith.

Attorneys for some of the defendants in the case say District Attorney Jeff Rosen has conflicts that precludes a fair prosecution.

The alleged mastermind of an bribery plot managed to duck charges for now. As did many of his apparently perjurious colleagues.

AS Solution founder Christian West, 51, faces two felony counts of bribery and falsifying records. An arraignment has been set for Aug. 31.

Just months after Martin Nielsen made an unusual political donation to the sheriff, she apparently granted him and a few colleagues CCW permits.

The Chronicle ran an article that featured some previously unpublished info about the DA investigation into Sheriff Smith and her allies.

And he shared enough hints for subpoena-empowered investigators to track down the true source of funds behind a $45,000 political donation.

Executive protection company AS Solution said it will help the DA as needed, and has even launched its own internal inquiry into the matter.

Santa Clara County’s six-term sheriff and her closest allies are the subject of an ongoing criminal inquiry led by the office of DA Jeff Rosen.