On Tuesday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman won the dismissal of a sexual abuse lawsuit filed by his sister Annie Altman. US District Judge Zachary Bluestone dismissed the case after Annie refused to appear for an independent medical examination.
During the hearing, Judge Zachary Bluestone said that, despite multiple accommodations and opportunities, Annie Altman did not appear for the examination on three separate occasions and had “failed to meaningfully prosecute her case.” Annie Altman had accused the OpenAI CEO of repeatedly sexually abusing her more than two decades ago. Sam Altman has denied all allegations.
“Because Annie has continued to violate her discovery obligations and forced this case to a halt through her intransigence, the Court has run out of options and, thus, dismisses her claims with prejudice,” he said in his written order. He added that Annie had been warned that failing to appear would result in the dismissal of her case.
Following the dismissal, Santos Perez, a lawyer who previously represented Annie Altman in the case but withdrew this month, said in a statement, "I am no longer authorised to comment on this case but I continue to believe in Annie." Neither Annie’s current lawyer, Laura Politi, nor Sam Altman’s lawyers have commented on the dismissal yet.
What was the lawsuit?
Annie Altman filed the lawsuit against Sam on January 6, 2025 in the Eastern District of Missouri. She alleged that her brother sexually abused and raped her between 1997 and 2006 at the family home in suburban Clayton, Missouri. Annie claimed the abuse began when she was three and Sam Altman was 12, and that the last alleged acts occurred after he had become an adult. Sam Altman is now 41.
In a joint statement issued by Sam Altman, his mother and his two brothers when the case was filed, the family said they were concerned about Annie Altman’s wellbeing. They said they had spent years supporting her financially with monthly financial assistance, covering rent and bills. The statement added that they had also tried to help her obtain medical care.
The family said her claims against Sam Altman had changed substantially over time and were “utterly untrue.” Sam Altman has said his sister began accusing him of sexual abuse on social media after the family rejected her demands for more money.
Source: India Today