Apple is reportedly [1] facing a probe by federal investigators on the stock-options case that was revealed earlier this year.

The investigation tries to determine if Apple's former management forged documents so as to maximize executives' profits from stock-options.

Fred Anderson and Nancy Heinen, respectively Apple's former CFO and General Counselor are said to be in the center of the investigation over the way they have accounted and recorded some executive's stock-options.

The company had started its own investigation in June and reported the first results of this investigation a few weeks later.

Apple's own investigation revealed stock-option irregularities in their accounting and that former management was involved. Additionally, it said that Apple might have to restate past financial results.

The investigation also claimed that Steve Jobs did not benefit from the stock-options irregularities and wasn't aware of the consequences of these irregularities in the company's accounting.

Earlier this month, Apple informed the SEC and its shareholders that it would delay its results filing to late December.

It is also reported that Jobs has hired a personal counselor after Apple was hit by the state's probe.

The news raised new concerns on the possibility that Apple's CEO will have to leave the company.

Apple shares dropped 5% on the news but restored to a slight gain later in the day, after analysts commented that they're seeing today's drop as a buying opportunity.

UPDATE: The Financial Times adds [2] some information to recent reports and Steve JObs' involvement in Apple's stock-option irregularities.