Ann Altman has filed a lawsuit accusing her brother, Sam Altman, of sexual abuse between 1997 and 2006. She claims the abuse began when she was three years old, and Mr. Altman was 12. The lawsuit, filed on January 6 in a US District Court in Missouri, alleges repeated abuse over several years.
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI and creator of ChatGPT, denies the allegations. In a joint statement with his mother and two brothers, he called the claims “utterly untrue.” The statement added, “Caring for a family member who faces mental health challenges is incredibly difficult.”
Ann Altman alleges that her brother “groomed and manipulated” her, committing acts of sexual assault, rape, molestation, sodomy, and battery. According to the lawsuit, she sustained severe physical and emotional injuries, requiring extensive medical and mental health treatment.
Family Responses and Ongoing Support
Sam Altman stated that he provides monthly financial support to his sister, covering her bills and rent. He even offered to buy her a house, but claims she continues to demand more money. He also noted that he has taken professional advice to support her while avoiding enabling harmful behavior.
“This situation causes immense pain to our entire family,” Mr. Altman said in his statement.
The lawsuit alleges the abuse continued until Mr. Altman was an adult and Ms. Altman was still a minor. She has previously made similar allegations on social media platforms.
High-Profile Technology Figure
Sam Altman is a prominent figure in the tech industry and a billionaire. In 2022, OpenAI launched ChatGPT, a widely used generative AI chatbot capable of creating text, images, and computer code.
In 2024, Mr. Altman survived a boardroom coup and returned as OpenAI’s CEO after briefly being removed from his position. He married his partner, Oliver Mulherin, the same year.
This lawsuit brings attention to his personal life, contrasting sharply with his public image. However, the allegations remain under dispute.
Warning: This story contains details that some readers may find distressing.