Former OpenAI Engineer Arrested Over Recording Device
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A former OpenAI engineer, Abdulrahman Alfozan, is facing serious charges for allegedly installing a recording device in a conference room to capture sensitive company information. Federal prosecutors revealed in court documents that he was just days away from fleeing to Saudi Arabia at the time of his arrest last week.
After Alfozan’s arrest, his wife and young son reportedly left the U.S. immediately, having a one-way ticket purchased by a Saudi military official, according to prosecutors’ statements in a memo that requested his continued detention.
Prosecutors expressed concerns, noting, “Ultimately, the defendant has little incentive to remain in the United States to see this case through.” They pointed out Alfozan’s substantial financial resources and connections to what appears to be substantial support from a foreign government.
A federal judge sided with the prosecutors on Monday and denied a request from Alfozan’s attorneys to release him to home confinement. His next court appearance is scheduled for November.
Alfozan’s lawyer argued that he has strong ties to the U.S., emphasizing that he was “weeks away from achieving every immigrant’s dream” — which is gaining U.S. citizenship. Alfozan, a lawful permanent resident since 2020, had an interview for naturalization set for next month and claimed to have lived in the U.S. for 15 years, including attending prestigious institutions like MIT and UC Berkeley.
The lawyer mentioned that Alfozan was ready to pledge almost all his assets, around $1 million in a U.S. investment account, for his bond.
Judge Alex Tse raised questions about whether the Saudi government would reimburse Alfozan for his bond if he chose to flee.
Following the hearing, Alfozan’s lawyer expressed disappointment in the judge’s decision but did not provide further comments.
Legal filings indicated that Alfozan had arranged for one-way tickets for his family to Saudi Arabia over two weeks before the alleged incident involving the recording device. Prosecutors argued, however, that new tickets were issued for them after Alfozan’s arrest, allowing an earlier departure than initially planned.
While prosecutors have not disclosed Alfozan’s potential motives for the recordings, they noted he had been in frequent contact with a member of the Saudi royal family who was attempting to recruit him for an AI project in Saudi Arabia. Alfozan had stated he would not leave OpenAI until his stocks were fully vested, although he was exploring other career options in the Middle East.
Having worked at OpenAI since July 2025, he was terminated following his arrest.
According to the prosecution, Alfozan concealed a recording device within toilet paper and connected it to a television’s USB port in an executive conference room that was off-limits to him. Security footage captured him accessing the room and tampering with the television shortly after installation. The device was discovered several days later, on September 30.
This conference room was routinely used for high-level meetings, including discussions over confidential technical and strategic matters. OpenAI stated the recording device was high-tech, designed to avoid detection, and was equipped with advanced encryption and audio capabilities. They also suggested that there was evidence Alfozan planned to install additional listening devices throughout the office.
Alfozan is charged with the illegal use of an electronic device to intercept oral communications, facing up to five years in prison if convicted.
