Sam Altman, the chief executive and co-founder of the artificial intelligence company OpenAI, has won the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by his sister, Ann Altman. The case, filed in January 2025 in the Eastern District of Missouri, alleged that Sam Altman had sexually abused his sister over a period spanning 1997 to 2006, starting when she was three years old and he was 12.
District Judge Zachary Bluestone ordered the dismissal with prejudice after Ann Altman failed to appear for an independent medical examination on three separate occasions, despite multiple accommodations and opportunities. In his written order, Judge Bluestone said Ann Altman had "continued to violate her discovery obligations and forced this case to a halt through her intransigence". The judge added that the court "has run out of options" and dismissed the claims with prejudice, meaning they cannot be refiled.
Sam Altman has denied the allegations. In a joint statement released at the time the lawsuit was filed, Sam Altman, his mother and his two brothers said Ann Altman had made claims that "changed drastically over time" but were "utterly untrue". The family said they had spent years trying to support Ann Altman financially and to look after her wellbeing. They stated that she receives monthly financial support, with her bills and rent also covered, and that they had tried to assist with medical help. The statement added that the family believed Ann Altman has mental health challenges and that the claims were made as she continued to demand more funds.
Sam Altman is a prominent figure in the technology industry as the co-founder of OpenAI, the company behind the ChatGPT chatbot launched in 2022.