Joint Response from Mother and Brother Calls Claims “Utterly Untrue” Amid Legal Battle
In a deeply personal development that has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and his family have publicly responded to serious allegations of sexual abuse made by his sister, Ann Altman, in a recently filed lawsuit. The family’s unified response strongly denies the accusations while expressing concern for Ann’s well-being.
The allegations
According to CNBC reports, Ann Altman has filed a lawsuit alleging that Sam Altman sexually abused her over a nine-year period from 1997 to 2006. The case represents a significant personal challenge for the tech executive, who has become one of the most prominent figures in artificial intelligence.
Family’s united response
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Sam Altman, along with his mother and brother, addressed the allegations while highlighting their ongoing efforts to support Ann. “Our family loves Annie and is very concerned about her well-being. Caring for a family member who faces mental health challenges is incredibly difficult,” the statement began.
The family detailed extensive efforts to assist Ann over the years, including:
- Financial assistance with bills and rent
- Help with employment opportunities
- Access to medical care
- Offers to purchase housing
Pattern of claims
The family’s statement revealed a history of various allegations made by Ann against different family members. “Over the years, she has accused members of our family of improperly withholding our father’s 401k funds, hacking her wifi, and ‘shadowbanning’ her from various websites, including ChatGPT, Twitter, and more,” the statement explained.
They noted that her allegations have “evolved drastically over time,” with the current lawsuit including new claims about incidents allegedly occurring after Sam turned 18.
Family’s position
The statement emphatically denies the accusations: “This situation causes immense pain to our entire family. It is especially gut-wrenching when she refuses conventional treatment and lashes out at family members who are genuinely trying to help.”
The family indicated that while they had previously chosen not to respond publicly to Ann’s claims “out of respect for her privacy and our own,” the filing of legal action compelled them to address the situation openly.
The development adds a deeply personal dimension to Sam Altman’s public profile at a time when he and OpenAI are at the forefront of revolutionary developments in artificial intelligence technology. The case continues to develop as legal proceedings move forward.
According to the outlet, the lawsuit claims that the plaintiff experienced “severe emotional distress, mental anguish, and depression, which is expected to continue” as a “direct and proximate result of the foregoing acts of sexual assault.”
