Nvidia has launched an independent probe after Jensen Huang admitted to an extramarital relationship with a business executive suspected of espionage.
US President Donald Trump stated that the FBI is investigating an affair between Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang and a woman suspected of being a Chinese spy. Trump said he spoke with Huang on Monday following reports that the executive was targeted in a Chinese espionage campaign, according to BBC News.
Huang admitted in an email to staff on Sunday, November 8, that he had been unfaithful to his wife. The 63-year-old co-founder of Nvidia said he took full responsibility for his actions and apologised to his family and employees, as reported by Siasat.
The woman involved is Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, a top executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed. US intelligence officials believe she was an asset for China's Ministry of State Security, according to The New York Times.
Megaspeed is a major customer of Nvidia, having purchased more than USD 4.8 billion in chips over the last two years. The Nvidia board has commissioned an independent committee of directors and outside counsel to conduct an inquiry into the matter.
While the board stated it has no reason to believe company secrets or national security were compromised, the investigation will examine all available information, Mint reported. China's foreign ministry has rejected the allegations, calling them groundless and intended to malign the country.
Trump defended Huang, calling him an "honourable guy" and a "fine person" while speaking to reporters. The President noted that he believes Huang had no idea the woman was a spy.
