OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman Secures Dismissal of Sister’s Abuse Lawsuit

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has successfully had a lawsuit filed by his sister thrown out. The case, which alleged that Altman sexually abused his sister over a span of more than a decade, was dismissed by a federal judge after Ann Altman declined to undergo an independent medical examination, despite being warned that refusal would end the litigation.

Ann Altman had accused the OpenAI founder of repeatedly abusing her between 1997 and 2006, claims that Sam Altman has consistently denied. The Altman family said Ann has struggled with mental‑health issues and that they have been providing her with financial assistance, noting that her accusations intensified as she continued to request additional funds.

U.S. District Judge Zachary Bluestone wrote that Ann Altman missed three scheduled independent medical exams, despite numerous accommodations and opportunities. He stated that her failure to “meaningfully prosecute her case” and her ongoing violations of discovery rules left the court with no choice but to dismiss the claims with prejudice.

The lawsuit was filed on 6 January 2025 in the Eastern District of Missouri. In the complaint, Ann Altman alleged that Sam Altman began abusing her when she was three years old and he was twelve. In a joint statement released by Sam Altman, his mother and two brothers, the family expressed concern for Ann’s wellbeing, emphasizing years of financial support that covered her rent, bills and medical expenses. They added that her allegations had shifted dramatically over time and were “utterly untrue.”

Sam Altman is a co‑founder of OpenAI, the company behind the widely used ChatGPT chatbot launched in 2022.

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