‘Utterly untrue’: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman denies sister’s sexual abuse allegation

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has denied “deeply hurtful” allegations that he sexually abused his younger sister for nearly a decade.

OpenAI co-founder and chief executive Sam Altman has denied allegations that he sexually abused his younger sister for nearly a decade, describing them as “deeply hurtful and entirely untrue”.

In a lawsuit filed on January 6 in Missouri federal court, Annie Altman alleged she was abused by her older brother for nine years between 1997 and 2006, beginning when she was three and he was 12.

Mr Altman committed “numerous acts of rape, sexual abuse, molestation, sodomy and battery” at their family home outside St Louis, the now-30-year-old claimed. In some instances, he was aged over 18, and therefore would no longer be a minor.

Ms Altman alleged she was “groomed and manipulated” by Mr Altman into believing the acts were “her idea”, and is requesting a jury trial and damages in excess of $US75,000 ($121,138) as well as legal fees.

In a joint statement signed by Mr Altman, his mother, Connie, and younger brothers, Max and Jack, the 39-year-old said that “all of these claims are utterly untrue”.

Sexual abuse claims levelled at OpenAI co-founder and chief executive Sam Altman are ‘utterly untrue’. Picture: Jason Redmond/AFP

“Our family loves Annie and is very concerned about her wellbeing,” the statement began.

“Caring for a family member who faces mental health challenges is incredibly difficult. We know many families facing similar struggles understand this well.”

The family said they had made repeated attempts “to support Annie and help her find stability, following professional advice on how to be supportive without enabling harmful behaviours”, including offering financial aid, help her find employment and get medical help.

“Despite this, Annie continues to demand more money from us,” the statement continued.

“In this vein, Annie has made deeply hurtful and entirely untrue claims about our family, and especially Sam.”

The lawsuit is not the first time Ms Altman has made such allegations. In one instance, a 2021 thread on X, she alleged she had been abused by both Mr Altman and their brother, Jack.

The Altmans had “chosen not to respond publicly” to these past claims “out of respect for her privacy and our own”.

‘We ask for understanding and compassion for everyone as we continue to support Annie the best way we can,’ a statement from Mr Altman and his family read. Picture: Patrick T Fallon/AFP

“However, she has now taken legal action against Sam, and we feel we have no choice but to address this,” they said.

“Over the years, she has accused members of our family of improperly withholding our father’s 401k funds, hacking her Wi-Fi, and ‘shadowbanning’ her from various websites including ChatGPT, Twitter, and more.

“The worst allegation she has made is that she was sexually abused by Sam as a child (she has also claimed instances of sexual abuse from others). Her claims have evolved drastically over time. Newly for this lawsuit, they now include allegations of incidents where Sam was over 18.”

Ms Altman’s claims have caused “immense pain to our entire family”.

“We ask for understanding and compassion for everyone as we continue to support Annie in the best way we can. We sincerely hope she finds the stability and peace she’s been searching for.”

Originally published as ‘Utterly untrue’: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman denies sister’s sexual abuse allegation