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Technology giant Nvidia has retained a major United States law firm to examine the relationship between its chief executive and a woman alleged to be a Chinese spy. The company announced the legal move as lawmakers and federal investigators scrutinize the situation surrounding the co-founder.
Investigation and Legal Response
Nvidia stated that it hired the New York law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, with attorney Joon Kim designated to lead a thorough and independent investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is simultaneously conducting its own probe into the matter. Jensen Huang has admitted to an extra-marital romantic relationship with the woman, Alice Huang, who is also known as Huang Le and is unrelated to the CEO. She previously served as an executive at Megaspeed, a Singaporean company and Nvidia customer that faced past suspicions of diverting AI chips to China. Nvidia maintained that it investigated and debunked those concerns and that the US government never informed the company that Megaspeed posed an intelligence risk. Beijing’s foreign ministry dismissed the allegations regarding the Nvidia chief as an attempt to smear and malign China.
Market Impact and Political Scrutiny
The controversy has impacted Nvidia’s market value, with about $500 billion wiped from its stock since Friday as shares fell near a yearly low. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly warned Washington officials earlier this year via a memo that the CEO was involved with a Chinese spy, according to the New York Times. US President Donald Trump stated that he spoke with Jensen Huang, who told him he had no idea the woman was a spy, and added that he believed him. Nevertheless, congressional leaders on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs requested the Nvidia boss to attend a closed-door briefing next week, with the authority to issue a subpoena if needed.
Oversight and Leadership Context
Nvidia’s board announced that independent directors will oversee the probe and stated it has no reason to believe company secrets or national security were compromised. Wachtell is one of the largest law firms in the US, counting technology companies such as OpenAI and Salesforce among its clients, while lead investigator Joon Kim is a former US Attorney for New York’s Southern District who specialized in fraud and criminal cases. Sources familiar with the situation indicate the corporate investigation will likely proceed urgently due to Jensen Huang’s prominent public role in the artificial intelligence sector. It remains uncertain whether investigators will be able to interview Alice Huang, and an Nvidia spokesperson declined to comment on whether the chief executive has retained his own separate legal counsel.
