Apple fires back at former CFO Anderson

Steve Jobs said. Fred Anderson said. Now the Apple board of directors gets its turn.

In a terse statement, Apple board members Bill Campbell, Millard Drexler, Albert Gore Jr., Arthur D. Levinson, Eric Schmidt and Jerry York said:

We are not going to enter into a public debate with Fred Anderson or his lawyer. Steve Jobs cooperated fully with Apple's independent investigation and with the government's investigation of stock option grants at Apple. The SEC investigated the matter thoroughly and its complaint speaks for itself, in terms of what it says, what it does not say, who it charges, and who it does not charge. We have complete confidence in the conclusions of Apple's independent investigation, and in Steve's integrity and his ability to lead Apple.

Harrummph.

Apple is responding to a statement that essentially threw Jobs under the bus in the options backdating investigation. This statement should end the back and forth. After all, Jobs isn't going to comment.