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Judge dismisses Ann Altman's abuse lawsuit against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman
A federal judge on Oct. 20 dismissed Ann Altman's lawsuit accusing her brother, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, of childhood sexual abuse, citing her failure to appear for a court-ordered medical exam, The Verge and Engadget reported. He has denied the claims.
- Our desk updated its story
- New headline Was: “US judge dismisses sexual abuse lawsuit from Sam Altman’s sister”
- Our desk filed its story
U.S. District Judge Zachary Bluestone on Tuesday, Oct. 20, dismissed the lawsuit in which Ann Altman accused her brother, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, of sexually abusing her during her childhood1,2,3.
The ruling turned on procedure, not on whether the allegations were true. The judge wrote that Ann Altman had not appeared for an independent medical examination despite warnings that missing it would end the case, according to both outlets1,2. Engadget reported that the judge did not rule on the merits2; The Verge added that the judge also cited other missed deadlines over the past year1.
The Verge reported that the case was dismissed with prejudice, which means it cannot be refiled in that court, and that the judge turned down Sam Altman's request for attorney fees and costs1. Engadget reported that the judge also let Sam Altman withdraw a defamation counterclaim he had filed against his sister2.
Ann Altman sued in January 2025, alleging abuse at the family's Missouri home between 1997 and 2006, beginning when she was 3, Engadget reported2. In March, the judge found her original assault and battery claims had expired but allowed her to refile under a Missouri childhood sexual abuse law, and the amended suit is the one dismissed this week2.
Sam Altman has denied the allegations2. When the suit was filed, he, his mother and his brothers issued a joint statement calling the claims "entirely untrue"1,2.
Santos Perez, who represented Ann Altman until withdrawing from the case this month, said in a statement that he could no longer comment but still believed his former client, Engadget reported2. Neither The Verge nor Engadget reported a comment from Ann Altman herself, and it was not clear whether she plans to appeal1,2.
Sources
How it’s being reported
3 sources
Judge dismisses Sam Altman’s sister’s sexual abuse lawsuit
Leads with the dismissal and the fact that it cannot be refiled in that court.
Reports the dismissal, that it was with prejudice, and the denial of Sam Altman's fee request.
Leaves out Does not mention the withdrawn defamation counterclaim or the earlier March ruling.
Judge tosses sexual abuse lawsuit from Sam Altman's sister
Leads with the point that the judge did not rule on the merits of the claims.
Reports that the ruling was procedural, not on the merits, and gives the case history.
Leaves out Does not say whether the dismissal was with prejudice.
US judge dismisses sexual abuse lawsuit from Sam Altman’s sister
Gives this outlet’s account of the story.