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A controversial legal challenge has emerged for OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, as his sister Ann Altman filed a lawsuit Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, alleging historical sexual abuse. The case brings personal matters into the spotlight for one of artificial intelligence's most prominent figures.
The lawsuit, filed on January 7, 2025, seeks damages exceeding $75,000 and requests a jury trial. According to court documents, the allegations cover a period between 1997 and 2006, with the plaintiff claiming the alleged incidents occurred at the family's home in Clayton, Missouri.
In response to the allegations, Sam Altman, along with his mother Connie and brothers Jack and Max, issued a joint statement categorically denying the claims.
"Annie has made deeply hurtful and entirely untrue claims about our family, and especially Sam," the statement read, adding that they had previously chosen not to respond publicly out of respect for privacy.
The family's statement addressed broader context around the situation, noting ongoing efforts to support Ann Altman, including offers of monthly financial assistance and attempts to establish a housing trust. Their response also expressed concern about her wellbeing, while maintaining that all allegations are "utterly untrue."
Legal representation for Ann Altman comes from Ryan Mahoney, whose Illinois-based firm specializes in sexual assault and harassment cases. Mahoney explained, "By this lawsuit, Annie is seeking what every survivor of sexual abuse wants – justice and accountability."
The timing of this legal action coincides with a period of significant corporate developments for OpenAI. The company, recently valued at $157 billion and backed by major investors including Microsoft and Nvidia, has been navigating various challenges, including Altman's brief removal from leadership in November 2023 and an ongoing legal dispute with Elon Musk.
