Ann Altman, the sister of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has filed a lawsuit accusing her brother of sexually abusing her over the course of nearly a decade. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, alleges that the abuse began when Ann was only three years old and continued until she was 11. The claims have sent ripples through the tech and legal communities, with Sam Altman vehemently denying the allegations.
According to the lawsuit, the alleged abuse occurred between 1997 and 2006, during which time Sam Altman was a teenager and later an adult. Ann Altman’s legal filing claims that the abuse escalated from inappropriate touching to more severe acts, resulting in what she describes as “severe emotional distress and mental anguish.” She is seeking damages exceeding $75,000.
Ann’s legal team asserts that her claims are rooted in years of trauma, and they challenge the Altman family’s narrative of mental health struggles as a distraction from the core issue.
In a joint statement released on social media, Sam Altman, alongside his mother and two brothers, categorically denied the accusations. The family described the claims as “utterly untrue” and expressed concern for Ann’s well-being.
“Our family loves Annie and is very concerned about her well-being,” the statement read. “Caring for a family member who faces mental health challenges is very difficult. Over the years, we’ve tried in many ways to support Annie and help her find stability, following professional advice on how to be supportive without enabling harmful behaviors.”
The statement went on to detail the family’s financial and emotional support for Ann over the years, including covering her medical expenses, providing housing assistance, and even offering to buy her a home through a trust to ensure her long-term security.
The lawsuit represents a dramatic escalation in what has reportedly been a long-standing family conflict. Ann Altman has previously made accusations against her brother on social media, but this marks the first time she has pursued legal action. The Altman family’s statement suggests that these claims have evolved over time and have been a source of deep pain for all involved.
The family also hinted at underlying financial motivations, claiming that Ann’s lawsuit followed repeated demands for financial support. “Despite our efforts to help her, Annie has continued to make unfounded accusations against us,” the statement concluded.
Ann’s attorney, Ryan J. Mahoney, has pushed back against the family’s characterization of the situation.
“The focus should remain on the harm caused to Ann,”
Mahoney stated, emphasizing that her mental health challenges do not negate the validity of her claims.
While the allegations against Sam Altman are personal in nature, they come at a challenging time for OpenAI. The company has recently faced scrutiny over regulatory compliance, employee treatment, and product safety issues. However, these controversies are unrelated to the allegations against Altman and have not been addressed by the company in connection with this case.
For now, the world watches as the Altman family’s painful dispute plays out, leaving many to wonder about the long-term ramifications for all involved.
