**OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Hit with Sexual Abuse Lawsuit from Sister**
Sam Altman, the chief executive of OpenAI, is facing a lawsuit initiated by his sister, Ann Altman, who alleges that he sexually abused her during their youth. The legal action, filed in Missouri, asserts that the alleged abuse commenced in 1997 when Ann was merely 3 years old and persisted until 2006. During this time, Sam Altman was 12, with the accusations suggesting that the incidents intensified as he matured into adulthood.
The lawsuit details that Ann Altman contends her brother started with inappropriate touching and eventually sexually assaulted and raped her. The legal document indicates, “Throughout the relevant time period, Defendant, Sam Altman, groomed and manipulated Plaintiff, Ann Altman, into believing that the aforementioned sexual acts were her own idea, notwithstanding the fact that she was under five years old when the sexual abuse began and Defendant was nearly a teenager. The preceding level of childhood sexual abuse lasted for a duration of around eight to nine years.”
Filed under Missouri’s Childhood Sexual Abuse statute, the lawsuit permits survivors to pursue legal recourse against their alleged abusers within ten years of reaching 21. Now 30, Ann Altman is asking for damages surpassing $75,000 for punitive measures and lawsuit-related expenses. She alleges that the purported abuse has led to PTSD, deep emotional turmoil, depression, and significant mental health costs.
In addressing the allegations, Sam Altman, together with his parents and two siblings, released a public statement on X (previously Twitter). The family characterized Ann, referred to as “Annie,” as dealing with “mental health challenges” and noted their ongoing personal and financial support for her throughout the years. They also claimed that Ann has consistently sought financial assistance from them, asserting that this lawsuit marks not the first instance of her accusing Sam of abuse.
The statement from the Altmans also discussed other allegations made by Ann, including claims that the family invaded her WiFi and shadowbanned her on X and the OpenAI ChatGPT platform. “All of these claims are completely false,” the family asserted. “This situation inflicts great distress on our entire family. It is particularly heartbreaking when she rejects traditional treatment and lashes out at family members who are sincerely attempting to assist her.”
The lawsuit has attracted considerable attention due to Sam Altman’s prominent position as one of the co-founders of OpenAI, a foremost research organization in artificial intelligence that he established alongside Elon Musk and others.