The head of one of the companies accused of paying for confidential Apple product information has resigned, the first victim of the million-dollar conspiracy.
Chua Kim Guan, executive chairman of JLJ Holdings, stood down after it emerged that he is related to Andrew Ang, the man identified by Apple as the Singapore contact of its former manager, Paul Devine.
Devine has pleaded not guilty to accusations that he received at least $1 million in “kickbacks” from six suppliers of components for the iPhone and iPods, in return for information about Apple’s product plans.
Ang, Apple says, acted as the go-between for Devine and component suppliers, including JLJ, whose chairman turns out to be be his brother-in-law.
“In order to facilitate the impartial review of all activities relating to the Apple claim that may involve the company and its subsidiaries, the company’s executive chairman has voluntarily relinquished all executive duties,” JLJ said in a statement.
Ang has yet to comment on the allegations.
