Former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang accused of misleading executives about relationship with Chinese businesswoman
Internal communications reviewed by Reuters show Jensen Huang told senior Nvidia officials that his dealings with Alice Huang were standard business interactions, while later evidence suggests an affair.
Internal emails obtained by Reuters indicate that former Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang told senior leaders, including general counsel Tim Teter and chief marketing officer Alison Wagonfeld, that his interactions with Chinese businesswoman Alice Huang were ordinary business dealings. The messages, dated October, were part of a broader review of Huang's conduct after he resigned as CEO on Nov. 12.
Huang, who stepped down amid revelations of an extramarital affair, issued an apology on Sunday for being unfaithful to his wife and for disappointing the company, without naming Alice Huang. Alice Huang, a former senior executive at Nvidia customer Megaspeed International, has been under U.S. investigation for possible espionage activities, a claim Beijing denies.
The New York Times earlier reported Huang's relationship with another Nvidia employee, and Reuters later confirmed a second intimate relationship with a different employee. In October, Huang also discussed potential legal action against the New York Times after it published a story about his public meetings with Alice Huang, though no lawsuit was filed.
Nvidia’s board hired law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz on Nov. 10 to conduct an independent investigation following media reports. The company's shares have fallen more than 30% since early October, wiping out over $1.8 trillion in market value.
"The interactions reflected standard business dealings with customers," Huang told Nvidia leaders in the October messages.
"The routine nature of my interactions with Megaspeed remains unchanged," he added in a separate communication.
Huang told Bloomberg on Oct. 29 that the U.S. government had not informed him of any suspicions regarding Alice Huang. Reuters has not independently verified the allegations that she acted on behalf of the Chinese government.