Steve Jobs: Back on the Hot Seat?

Apple Computer cleared CEO Steve Jobs in a stock option probe, but that doesn’t mean Apple and Jobs are out of the woods.

BusinessWeek, The San Jose Mercury News,
The Motley Fool and other major media outlets are finally pointing out that Apple and Jobs still face serious questions in the stock option investigation.

BusinessWeek even compares Apple’s situation to that of United Health and McAfee. Both of those companies in 2006 suffered CEO departures amid stock-option probes. There’s even a rumor circulating the web that Jobs will take a leave of absence from Apple. The VAR Guy is quick to note: It’s just a rumor folks. But what a rumor it is — especially ahead of this week’s MacWorld Expo in San Francisco.

Many pundits expect Apple to finally announce its so-called iPhone at the event. Jobs is scheduled to take the stage on Tuesday, Jan. 9. But he’s in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons before the event even starts.