Paper: U.S. investigating options grant to Apple CEO

Federal authorities are investigating a backdated stock option grant awarded to Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs that carried a false October 2001 date, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Apple's board approved the October 19, 2001, grant at a meeting on August 29, with an exercise price of $17.83. The final terms of the grant were set on December 18, and the price was changed to $18.30. Apple shares were trading at $21.01 on that date.

The approval for the grant "was improperly recorded as occurring at a special board meeting on Oct. 19, 2001," Apple said in a filing on December 29, 2006. "Such a special board meeting did not occur."

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