OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman has refuted allegations of childhood sexual abuse made by his sister, Annie Altman, in a lawsuit filed on Monday.
The accusations, spanning incidents alleged to have occurred between 1997 and 2006 have been described as ‘entirely untrue’ by the tech entrepreneur and his family.
In a letter co-signed by his mother and two brothers and published on X (formerly Twitter), the Altman family addressed the claims, expressing concern for Annie’s mental health.
“Annie has made deeply hurtful and entirely untrue claims about our family, especially Sam,” the statement read.
“Our family loves Annie and is very concerned about her well-being. Caring for a family member who faces mental health challenges is incredibly difficult.”
The family acknowledged years of strained relations with Annie, citing their continued financial support despite her growing demands.
“We have tried to help Annie, covering her expenses and guaranteeing her monthly financial support, which we expect to continue for the rest of her life,” the letter stated.
However, the family said they felt compelled to respond publicly following the legal complaint and escalating tensions.
“The worst allegation she has made is that she was sexually abused by Sam as a child,” they wrote, adding that her claims “have evolved drastically over time” and now include incidents allegedly occurring after Sam turned 18.
“All these claims are utterly untrue,” the statement concluded.
Annie Altman, who is nine years younger than Sam, alleged that the abuse began when she was three years old and continued until she was 12.
Her accusations come after a 2023 report in New York Magazine, which detailed Annie’s struggles with depression, her growing estrangement from her family, and reliance on online sex work to support herself.
Thirty-nine years old Sam Altman became one of Silicon Valley’s most prominent figures, gaining global recognition following the launch of ChatGPT in 2022.
As the CEO of OpenAI, he positioned himself as a leader in the race to develop advanced artificial intelligence while advocating for its responsible use to “benefit all of humanity.”
The family reiterated their support for Annie’s well-being while firmly denying the allegations. “Despite this, Annie continues to demand more money from us,” the family said, describing the lawsuit as part of ongoing tensions within the family dynamic.
