Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, has denied allegations of sexual abuse made by his sister, Ann Altman, in a lawsuit filed on Monday.
The lawsuit, submitted to the US District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, claims that Sam Altman sexually assaulted his sister over a period spanning from 1997 to 2006, when she was a child.
According to the lawsuit, the alleged abuse began when Ann Altman was just three years old and continued until she was a teenager, with the complaint detailing multiple instances of sexual assault, molestation, and battery. Ann Altman is seeking at least $75,000 in damages for the emotional distress, PTSD, and medical costs she claims to have incurred as a result of the alleged abuse.
In a public statement made on social media Tuesday, Sam Altman, along with his family, categorically denied the allegations. The statement described the claims as “utterly untrue” and expressed that the situation was deeply painful for the entire family. It also referenced Ann Altman’s ongoing mental health struggles, suggesting that she had refused conventional treatment. The statement further noted that Ann Altman had continued to demand financial assistance despite receiving regular financial support from the family.
Ann Altman’s lawyer, Ryan Mahoney, responded by emphasizing that while his client had experienced trauma, there was no evidence to suggest that her mental health issues had influenced the allegations. Mahoney also criticized the family’s response, asserting that it was not uncommon for family members to deny such accusations, and reiterated that his client’s allegations should be taken seriously.
The lawsuit, filed under Missouri’s statute that allows victims of childhood sexual abuse to pursue legal action up to their 31st birthday, coincides with Ann Altman’s 31st birthday. In the suit, she describes enduring severe emotional and psychological harm, including depression and distress.
Sam Altman, who has become a prominent figure in the tech industry due to his leadership of OpenAI, has not commented further on the lawsuit beyond the initial public statement. His sister’s claims, which had previously appeared on social media, have now led to formal legal proceedings, with the lawsuit requesting a jury trial.
The case has drawn significant attention due to Sam Altman’s high-profile position in the tech world, with OpenAI being valued at $157 billion as of October 2024. The lawsuit’s outcome will likely be closely watched by both the public and the tech industry as it continues to unfold.
CNN, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal contributed to this report.
