Sam Altman Prevails in Lawsuit Dismissal Sought by Sister

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has secured a ruling dismissing the lawsuit filed against him by his sister over allegations of sexual abuse dating back more than two decades.

The dismissal followed a refusal by Ann Altman to undergo an independent medical examination, a move that warned she risked having the case thrown out entirely.

Alleging that the OpenAI co-founder had regularly sexually abused her from 1997 to 2006, Ann Altman initially stood by her claims, which Sam Altman flatly denied.

The Altman family has stated that Ann Altman suffers from mental health challenges and that they have provided financial support, suggesting the lawsuit was pursued in an effort to secure additional funding.

District Judge Zachary Bluestone found that despite multiple accommodations and repeated chances to comply, Ann Altman failed to appear for independent medical exams on three separate occasions and lacked the willingness to meaningfully prosecute her case.

“Having persistently violated her discovery obligations and halted this case through sheer intransigence, the Court is now out of options and dismisses her claims with prejudice,” Judge Bluestone wrote in his written order.

The lawsuit was originally filed on January 6, 2025, in the Eastern District of Missouri.

In her complaint, Ann Altman alleged that her older brother, Sam Altman, began abusing her when she was just three years old, noting that the accused was then twelve.

In response, Sam Altman released a joint statement alongside his mother and two brothers, detailing their concern for Ann Altman’s wellbeing and their years of financial support and care.

The family confirmed that Ann Altman receives monthly financial support, with all bills and rent covered, as well as ongoing efforts to assist with her medical needs.

The statement also noted that her claims against Sam Altman had evolved significantly over time, but insisted that all allegations were ultimately “utterly untrue”.

Sam Altman serves as a co-founder of OpenAI, the company behind its widely popular ChatGPT AI chatbot, launched in 2022.

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