US judge dismisses sexual abuse lawsuit against OpenAI chief Sam Altman

A United States district judge has dismissed a lawsuit alleging that OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman sexually abused his sister when she was a child. US District Judge Zachary Bluestone dismissed the case on Tuesday after Ann Altman failed to attend an independent medical examination. The Verge, Engadget, and the BBC all reported the decision. [1][2][3]

The Verge and Engadget both report that the judge dismissed the suit with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled. Engadget noted that the ruling was based on procedural grounds rather than the merits of the allegations. According to Engadget and the BBC, Judge Bluestone had previously warned Ann Altman that skipping the medical examination would lead to the dismissal of her case. [1][2][3]

Engadget reported that Ann Altman filed the lawsuit in January 2025. According to Engadget and the BBC, she alleged that the abuse occurred at the family home in Missouri between 1997 and 2006. The BBC reported that Sam Altman denied the accusations, and his family stated that Ann Altman faces mental health challenges. [1][2][3]

Sam Altman has served as the chief executive officer of the artificial intelligence company OpenAI since 2019. [9]