Nvidia has hired a major United States law firm to investigate allegations involving its chief executive, Jensen Huang, and a woman suspected of having links to Chinese intelligence. Huang, who co-founded the technology company, has acknowledged having a romantic relationship outside his marriage. The woman, identified as Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, is alleged to be a Chinese spy. She is not related to the Nvidia chief executive.
Nvidia announced on Tuesday that it had appointed New York-based law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to conduct an independent investigation. The inquiry will be led by attorney Joon Kim, a former US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is also conducting a separate investigation.
The allegations have triggered concerns about the company’s security and reputation. Nvidia’s share price has fallen close to its lowest level in a year, wiping approximately $500bn (£375bn) off its market value since Friday.
Nvidia is one of the world’s most valuable technology companies and a major supplier of computer chips used in artificial intelligence systems. Its products have become strategically important to the United States as Washington seeks to maintain its position in the global AI industry.
Alice Huang previously worked as an executive at Megaspeed, a Singapore-based company that has done business with Nvidia. Megaspeed had faced suspicions of helping divert Nvidia chips to China, although Nvidia said those concerns had been investigated and disproved.
The company also maintained that the US government had never informed it that Megaspeed was considered an intelligence concern. According to reports, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent a memo to senior government officials earlier this year warning that Jensen Huang was involved in a close relationship with a suspected Chinese spy. China has rejected the allegations, with its foreign ministry describing them as attempts to smear the country.
US President Donald Trump said he had spoken with Huang, who reportedly told him he had no knowledge of the woman’s alleged intelligence activities. Trump said he believed the Nvidia chief executive. The matter has also attracted attention from US lawmakers. Leaders of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs have requested that Huang appear before them next week for a private briefing. Although he has not confirmed whether he will attend, the committee has the authority to issue a subpoena requiring his appearance.
Nvidia’s board previously announced that an independent committee of directors would oversee the investigation. It also said there was no reason to believe the company’s confidential information or national security interests had been compromised.Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is among the largest law firms in the United States and has represented major technology companies, including OpenAI and Salesforce.
Kim previously served as a federal prosecutor in New York, where he handled cases involving fraud and other criminal activities. The investigation is expected to receive urgent attention because of the close connection between Huang’s public image and Nvidia’s reputation. However, it remains unclear whether the law firm will be able to interview Alice Huang. Nvidia has declined to comment on whether Jensen Huang has hired separate legal representation amid the company’s investigation and the FBI’s independent probe.
Nvidia has hired an independent law firm to investigate allegations involving its CEO and a woman suspected of having links to Chinese intelligence. The controversy has raised concerns about corporate security, national interests and the company’s reputation.
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