The independent directors on Nvidia’s board have retained the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to conduct an independent investigation into matters concerning the company’s CEO, Jensen Huang. The probe will examine whether Huang’s personal conduct jeopardized corporate secrets or U.S. national security.
According to the company, the investigation will be led by Joon H. Kim, the former United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Law360 reported that Kim joined Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz earlier this month. The board’s decision followed Huang’s Sunday admission that he had a relationship with a woman whom investigative reports in The New York Times and the Financial Times associated with Chinese intelligence.
The board had already announced it would pursue a thorough, independent inquiry after Huang’s admission. With the latest move to hire an outside law firm, Nvidia’s leadership is seeking to stabilize the company amid the controversy, which has raised questions about both business governance and potential national security implications.
The situation is compounded by growing scrutiny over what Nvidia knew about sales of export‑controlled chips used in artificial intelligence development to Chinese companies. Investors have expressed serious concern that the scandal and ensuing investigation could ultimately lead to the departure of the co‑founder and CEO.
The market reaction was immediate: Nvidia shares fell more than 6 percent in Tuesday trading. The independent review by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is intended to clarify the factual record and assess any risks to the company and to U.S. national security as the inquiry proceeds.
Tags: China, artificial intelligence, intelligence, investigation, chip, scandal, Nvidia, export controls, Jensen Huang
