A former OpenAI engineer has pleaded not guilty to charges of secretly recording conversations inside the company's offices using a concealed audio device. Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old Saudi national, entered the plea during a federal court appearance in San Francisco on November 6, 2026.
Alfozan was arrested on October 9 and has been held without bail since then. Prosecutors accuse him of placing a sophisticated recording device inside an executive conference room at OpenAI to capture confidential discussions involving senior company officials.
A grand jury indicted him last month on one count of intercepting oral communications. His next court hearing is scheduled for November 17, 2026. If convicted, Alfozan could face up to five years in prison and a USD 250,000 fine. The sentence could also include three years of supervised release.
Court documents describe the device as specially designed to record sensitive conversations. Prosecutors allege that Alfozan made repeated efforts to develop encrypted recording equipment for meetings involving OpenAI executives.
The case also includes allegations about his communications with Saudi officials. A separate court filing reportedly claimed that he maintained frequent WhatsApp contact with a member of the Saudi Royal Family.
Prosecutors have also questioned his plans to leave the US shortly before his arrest. Alfozan had reportedly booked a one-way flight from San Francisco to Riyadh for October 12 with his wife and son. According to prosecutors, his family changed their travel arrangements following his arrest.
"His wife and son, however, immediately left the United States without him," U.S. prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said the family initially planned to travel to Jeddah on October 11. That booking was cancelled after a Saudi military member arranged another one-way ticket to Doha, Qatar.
"They did make that flight, departing San Francisco about 36 hours after the defendant was arrested," prosecutors said. The travel arrangements contributed to prosecutors' concerns that Alfozan could leave the country if released.
The case highlights security concerns surrounding confidential corporate meetings and potential insider threats. OpenAI has not been reported as confirming any successful disclosure of confidential information. Alfozan's not-guilty plea means the allegations have yet to be established in court. The proceedings will determine whether prosecutors can substantiate the charges.
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