Zynga chief denies stock options controversy

Zynga chief executive Mark Pincus has denied allegations set forth by the Wall Street Journal that employees were approached to give up their stock options.

The publication alleged that Pincus approached long-term employees to get back stock that had been given out during the company’s early days.

“The Wall Street Journal posted a story last night which paints our meritocracy in a false and skewed light. The story is based on hearsay and innuendo which is disappointing, but is to be expected as we move towards becoming a public company,” Pincus wrote to staff in a memo published by Fortune.

“Being a meritocracy is one of our core values and it’s on our walls. We believe that every employee deserves the same opportunity to lead. It’s not about where or when you enter Zynga it’s how far you can grow. This is what our culture of levelling up is all about and it’s one of our coolest features.”

The small controversy comes as Zynga continues to prepare for its IPO.