World · North America · 4 hrs ago
Former OpenAI employee pleads not guilty to recording-device charge
Abdulrahman Alfozan pleaded not guilty in federal court in San Francisco to a charge tied to a recording device at OpenAI's office.
Prosecutors say he placed the device in a television in an executive conference room on September 28.
A grand jury indicted him on one count of intercepting oral communications, and he has been held without bail since his arrest in early October.
If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison.
The case involves OpenAI, which is developing artificial intelligence agents, as concerns grow about the theft of AI technology.
Alfozan is due back in court on November 17.
Abdulrahman Alfozan pleaded not guilty to a charge of intercepting oral communications.
Prosecutors allege he planted a recording device in a television in an OpenAI conference room.
The device was allegedly placed in the room on Sept. 28, while Alfozan worked at OpenAI.
A grand jury indicted Alfozan on one count on Oct. 27.
He was sent back to jail after the hearing and remains held without bail, according to CNBC.
- Who
- Abdulrahman Alfozan, a Saudi national and former OpenAI employee.
- What
- He pleaded not guilty to one count of interception of oral communications. Prosecutors accuse him of planting a listening device at OpenAI.
- When
- He entered his plea on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026.
- Where
- San Francisco federal court; the alleged device was in OpenAI's San Francisco offices.
- Why
- Prosecutors allege he planted a recording device to intercept oral communications. A motive is not stated.
Prosecutors
Abdulrahman Alfozan
Allegation
Prosecutors
Prosecutors say he put a recording device in a television in an executive conference room at OpenAI's offices.
Abdulrahman Alfozan
Alfozan pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Prosecutors say Alfozan placed a recording device in a television in an OpenAI executive conference room.
Alfozan was arrested on a criminal complaint and held without bail, according to CNBC.
A grand jury indicted Alfozan on one count of interception of oral communications.
Alfozan pleaded not guilty during an appearance in San Francisco federal court and was sent back to jail.
The judge ordered Alfozan to appear in court again.
- Defendant
- Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35
- Charge
- One count of interception of oral communications
- Alleged device location
- Television in an executive conference room at OpenAI's San Francisco offices
- Indictment date
- Oct. 27, 2026
- Maximum possible sentence
- Five years in prison if convicted