Super Micro shares tumble 12% after DOJ reportedly opens probe into company

Super Micro Computer shares fell greater than 12% on Thursday after the Justice Department reportedly opened a probe into the corporate, which has been a significant beneficiary of the factitious intelligence boom.

The probe is in its early days, based on a report from The Wall Street Journal, and it comes after Hindenburg Research disclosed a short position in the corporate in late August. Hindenburg said it identified “fresh evidence of accounting manipulation,” based on its report. CNBC couldn’t independently confirm Hindenburg’s claims. 

Super Micro makes computers that corporations use as servers for web sites, data storage and other applications, including AI algorithms. The corporate’s customers include major players in AI reminiscent of Nvidia, AMD and Intel.

A prosecutor within the U.S. attorney’s office in San Francisco has asked for details about a former worker who has previously accused Super Micro of accounting violations, based on the Journal.

Following Hindenburg’s report in August, Super Micro said it will not file its annual report for the fiscal yr with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on time, sending shares tumbling nearly 20%. It just isn’t clear if the delay was related to the firm’s report.

Hindenburg, Super Micro and the Department of Justice didn’t immediately reply to CNBC’s requests for comment.