Steve Jobs likely to avoid criminal charges on options probe

According to a Mercury News report, Apple's CEO Steve Jobs is likely to avoid criminal charges in the stock-options irregularities found in the company's accounting.

A Mercury News examination of a massive 2001 stock-options grant to Jobs that was backdated through bogus documentation - the central focus of the federal probe - shows there is scant evidence, if any, to support criminal charges against the Silicon Valley icon.

Last year, the company announced it was running an internal investigation on its accounting regarding possible irregularities on stock-options granting. The company cleared its CEO from charges three months later but the U.S. state started its own investigation in late 2006.

Apple has restated some past quarters' financials and is now reporting its results on time but could have to make further restatements as a result of the ongoing federal investigation.

Analysts and various commentators pointed out Apple is very closely linked to its CEO and a possible resign of Steve Jobs could have a significant impact on the company's market value and stock price.