Though Apple is certainly ready to put its stock options back-dating scandal in the past (much the way they did with stock option grant dates!), members of the Silicon Valley business media are from ready to make that call, especially as top executives at firms with similar problems resign left and right. Is Steve Jobs safe?
The San Jose Mercury News has a story built largely on assumptions and inuendo, but I have to admit things don't look great for Jobs so long as Apple remains vague about the results of their internal investigation. I mean, they didn't even name which "former executives" were faulted for the activity.
I'm troubled by this situation, especially since it also touches Pixar. For one thing, I'm appalled that I want Jobs to survive it, regardless of what his role or benefit ends up being. That Jobs "was aware but didn't understand the consequences" of option back-dating is a pretty weak excuse, all around. It sounds exactly like the words of someone with a lot to hide.
Or the words of a self-taught chief executive. I'm just not sure.
