Ann Altman has filed a lawsuit against her brother, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, accusing him of sexually abusing her throughout her childhood over nearly ten years.
The lawsuit, submitted in federal court in Missouri, claims the abuse began in 1997 when Ann was three years old and Sam was 12, continuing until Sam reached adulthood. Ann alleges that the abuse caused her severe emotional distress, leaving her unable to lead a normal life.
The Altman family has strongly denied the accusations, describing them as “entirely untrue” and attributing them to long-standing mental health issues Ann has faced. In a statement released by Sam Altman on the social media platform X, he, along with their mother and two brothers, expressed their collective rejection of the allegations.
“Annie has made deeply hurtful and utterly false claims about our family, and especially Sam,” the statement reads. The family added that they have refrained from addressing similar allegations in the past but felt compelled to respond publicly now due to the legal filing.
Ann’s attorney, Ryan J. Mahoney, pushed back against the family’s statement, calling it a deflection from the harm Ann has endured. Mahoney highlighted the significant mental health impacts that sexual abuse survivors often face, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. He stated that there is “no evidence” suggesting Ann’s mental health challenges have influenced her allegations.
In their statement, the Altman family also claimed that Ann has made various conspiratorial accusations against family members over the years, often coupled with demands for money. They asserted that they have offered her financial assistance and encouraged her to seek medical help, but that she has declined conventional treatment.
“This situation causes immense pain to our entire family,” the statement continued. While the family expressed a preference for handling such matters privately, they said they felt obligated to speak out due to the gravity of the lawsuit.
As the case unfolds, the legal proceedings are expected to attract widespread attention, given Sam Altman’s high-profile role in the tech industry.
