Nvidia has appointed former federal prosecutor Joon H. Kim and the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to investigate allegations involving CEO Jensen Huang and a Chinese businesswoman suspected of intelligence ties to Beijing.
The appointment, announced Tuesday, follows the company’s decision to establish an independent board investigation after Huang publicly acknowledged an extramarital affair.
Kim previously served as acting US attorney for the Southern District of New York and has extensive experience conducting corporate and government investigations.
Nvidia shares have faced renewed selling pressure as investors assess the potential implications for the company’s leadership, reputation and operations in China.
Investigation Focuses on National Security Concerns
The investigation follows reports that Huang maintained a relationship with Alice Huang, a former executive associated with Singapore-based AI infrastructure company Megaspeed.
According to media reports citing US intelligence assessments, Alice Huang was suspected of links to Chinese intelligence operations.
The allegations have raised questions about whether the relationship could have exposed sensitive corporate information or created national security risks.
In a statement released November 8, Nvidia’s board said it had no reason to believe company secrets or US national security had been compromised.
Jensen Huang acknowledged his infidelity in a separate message to employees, apologized to his family and pledged to cooperate with the investigation.
Reports Link Chinese Companies to $7.5 Billion in Chip Shipments
The controversy has expanded beyond Huang’s personal conduct to include Nvidia’s commercial relationships with companies operating in China and Southeast Asia.
According to reporting by The Information, cited by Reuters, a network of companies allegedly associated with Alice Huang facilitated shipments of at least $7.5 billion in Nvidia chips to Chinese businesses.
The reports have renewed attention on possible attempts to circumvent US restrictions on exports of advanced semiconductors to China.
However, the allegations do not establish that Jensen Huang knowingly participated in export-control violations.
US authorities have previously investigated Megaspeed over suspected violations involving advanced AI chips.
Regulatory Scrutiny Adds Pressure
The investigation comes as Washington reassesses restrictions on advanced semiconductor exports amid growing competition with China over artificial intelligence.
Lawmakers have requested additional information about Nvidia’s relationships with Chinese-linked companies and the potential national security implications.
The company has maintained that its business partners are expected to comply with applicable export regulations.
Nvidia’s independent directors will oversee the investigation, while Huang remains chief executive.
The inquiry has not established that corporate information was compromised or that the CEO violated export-control laws.
Sources: Bloomberg, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal and Nvidia statements, November 10–11, 2026.
