Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has been accused in a federal lawsuit filed by his sister, Ann Altman, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. The complaint alleges that Altman engaged in a range of sexually abusive acts, including rape, sexual assault, molestation, sodomy, and battery, against his younger sister between 1997 and 2006. Ann Altman asserts that the abuse commenced when she was three years old, with Altman being twelve at the time.
The plaintiff claims to have suffered severe and lasting emotional and psychological harm as a direct result of the alleged misconduct. She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages totaling a minimum of $75,000. The suit also includes allegations that Altman’s actions constituted intentional infliction of emotional distress, with the filing aiming to hold him accountable under civil law for damages sustained during her childhood.
Sam Altman has categorically denied all allegations, asserting they are “completely false.” In a statement provided on his behalf, his family, including parents and siblings, emphasized their support for him while expressing grave concerns about Ann’s mental health. The family contends that Ann has declined to engage in conventional mental health treatment and remains financially dependent on them, despite her alleged demands for increased financial support. Altman and his family argue that the lawsuit lacks factual basis and is rooted in animosity rather than evidence.
Legal experts note that the suit raises critical questions about statutes of limitations, which can sometimes bar claims for childhood abuse. However, Missouri law provides exceptions where repressed memories or newly discovered evidence may toll these limitations, potentially allowing such claims to proceed.
As the case advances, the court will assess whether Ann Altman’s claims meet the evidentiary threshold required to proceed to discovery or trial. No public statement has been made by Ann’s legal counsel, and the case is likely to attract significant attention given Sam Altman’s prominence in the tech industry. His estimated net worth exceeds $1 billion, and OpenAI, which he co-founded, was valued at $157 billion in October 2024.