In a bombshell legal filing, Ann Altman, the sister of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has accused her brother of sexual abuse over several years, starting when she was just three years old and he was twelve. The lawsuit, filed on January 6 in a US District Court in Missouri, alleges disturbing claims of sexual assault, molestation, rape, and more, with the final instance taking place when Sam was an adult and Ann was still a minor.
In response to the shocking legal claims, Sam Altman, one of the tech world’s most influential figures, expressed a combination of grief and frustration.
Ann Altman’s allegations of abuse
Ann Altman’s lawsuit paints a harrowing picture of years of abuse that allegedly left her with severe physical and emotional scars. In her court filing, she claimed that Sam “groomed and manipulated” her, subjecting her to years of violent sexual abuse, including “rape, sexual assault, molestation, sodomy, and battery”, according to a court filing seen by the BBC.
This reportedly caused her great bodily injury, severe emotional distress, and ongoing depression. The lawsuit also claims that Ann has incurred extensive medical costs due to the physical and mental health treatment she required as a result of the alleged abuse.
Lawsuit details claims of abuse
The lawsuit claimed that the abuse occurred “several times per week,” starting with oral sex and escalating to penetration, reported the New York Post. Ann alleges that Sam manipulated her into believing the acts were her idea, despite her young age. The complaint also highlights the significant toll on Ann’s mental health, including PTSD, depression, and a diminished ability to enjoy life. She is seeking damages exceeding $75,000, along with a jury trial.
Ann Altman had previously made her accusations public on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where, in November 2021, she posted that she had experienced “sexual, physical, emotional, verbal, financial, and technological abuse” from her biological siblings, primarily Sam Altman, with some incidents involving Jack Altman.
Family responds with denials
The allegations have rocked the Altman family and sent shockwaves through the tech world. “This situation causes immense pain to our entire family,” the family statement declared.
In a joint statement on X, Sam Altman, his mother Connie, and his younger brothers Max and Jack vehemently denied the charges, calling them “utterly untrue” and expressing deep concern for Annie’s well-being. “Our family loves Annie and is very concerned about her wellbeing,” the statement read. “Caring for a family member who faces mental health challenges is incredibly difficult.”
They revealed that, despite their ongoing efforts to provide Ann with support and medical help, she had refused conventional treatment. “Annie has made deeply hurtful and entirely untrue claims about our family, and especially Sam. This situation causes immense pain to our entire family,” the statement said.
Family’s financial support and tensions
The Altman family, including Sam, has been publicly outspoken about the mental health struggles Ann has faced, with Sam asserting that he has financially supported her by paying her rent, bills, and even offering to buy her a home. “I give my sister monthly financial support, pay her bills and rent, and offered to buy her a house, but she continues to demand more money from us,” Sam said. Yet, despite these efforts, the lawsuit alleges that Ann’s demands for more money from her family continued, fueling the tension within the family.
Altman’s public image at risk
Sam Altman’s reputation has taken a significant hit amid the ongoing controversy. Known for his leadership at OpenAI, Sam helped launch the groundbreaking ChatGPT AI in late 2022, which has since transformed industries around the world. His journey to tech stardom was interrupted in 2023 when he was briefly ousted as CEO in a shocking boardroom drama, only to return within days after widespread support from employees.
Lawsuit demands jury trial and damages
The lawsuit filed by Ann Altman demands a jury trial and seeks damages in excess of $75,000, in addition to legal fees. The case is poised to add another layer of complexity to the already tumultuous life of one of the most influential tech moguls in the world.