Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said he would cooperate with a board investigation into reports involving a suspected Chinese spy, as the company’s shares fell about 4.35% on Nov. 9. (Foto: Instagram)
Nvidia shares fell about 4.35% on Monday, Nov. 9, after the company’s board opened an investigation into reports of a possible affair between CEO Jensen Huang and a woman suspected of spying for China. Nvidia is a U.S. maker of chips for computers and mobile devices.
The investigation concerns Alice Huang, a former executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed. She is suspected of passing information to the Chinese government, and the investigation into her began Sunday, Nov. 8. Alice Huang shares a surname with the CEO but is not related to him. The reports have raised questions about Jensen Huang’s future at the company.
Nvidia shares fell even as global stock markets edged up from six-month lows. In Frankfurt, the company’s shares dropped by more than 6%.
The BBC reported that Jensen Huang acknowledged being unfaithful to his wife and said he took “full responsibility” for his actions. He said he had failed in his responsibilities to Nvidia’s employees, board and shareholders. “I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did. I am deeply sorry,” he said. Huang added that he supported the investigation and would cooperate fully.
In a statement, Nvidia’s board said it would investigate “in light of recent reports that founder and CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by a foreign intelligence operation.” The board said it had no reason to believe national security secrets or Nvidia’s secrets had been compromised, but that its investigation would examine all available information.
