Home / Business and Economy / AI Chip Smuggler Co-Founder Resigns Amid Charges
AI Chip Smuggler Co-Founder Resigns Amid Charges
21 Mar
Summary
- Co-founder charged with smuggling billions in AI chips to China.
- Resignation effective immediately following federal charges.
- Company appoints new acting chief compliance officer.

Yih-Shyan Liaw, a co-founder of Super Micro Computer, has resigned from the company's board of directors. His resignation became effective immediately on March 20, 2026, following federal charges. Liaw is accused of orchestrating a scheme to smuggle billions of dollars worth of artificial intelligence chips to China.
The U.S. Justice Department revealed the charges on March 20, 2026, naming Liaw, sales manager Ruei-Tsang Chang, and contractor Ting-Wei Sun. They allegedly operated a scheme to reroute U.S.-made servers via Taiwan to Southeast Asian destinations.
In response to these developments, Super Micro Computer also announced the immediate appointment of DeAnna Luna as acting chief compliance officer. Luna joined the company in 2026 as the vice president of global trade and sanctions compliance.




