Ex-OpenAI Worker Accused Of Espionage Allegedly Backed By Saudi Government | News Radio 103.1 and 810 WGY

Federal prosecutors say that former OpenAI employee Abdulrahman Alfozan, a Saudi citizen, received "what appears to be considerable support" from the Saudi government after being accused of placing a recording device at OpenAI's headquarters in San Francisco. According to a court filing, Alfozan was arrested on October 9 and is being held in custody while he waits for trial on charges related to secretly recording spoken conversations.

Prosecutors say Alfozan was in frequent contact on WhatsApp with an unnamed member of the Saudi royal family during 2025 and 2026. Their most recent conversation was on October 5. The royal family member reportedly encouraged Alfozan to strengthen his ties with Saudi Arabia, telling him, "Saudi needs you more than the US." Alfozan agreed. Prosecutors wrote that this person repeatedly tried to recruit him to join an artificial intelligence project in Saudi Arabia.

The government also claims that OpenAI executives were meeting with government officials in the same conference room around the time the recording device was placed on September 28. Security cameras showed Alfozan near the room, even though he was not allowed to enter the high-level meetings held there. Investigators found photos on his phone showing hidden devices and electronic panels in different parts of OpenAI's offices. They also found a deleted note containing links to recording devices.

Prosecutors argue that Alfozan might flee because of his ties to Saudi Arabia, his financial resources, and the support they say he received from the Saudi government. They describe the Saudi government as having "limitless resources" and point out that Saudi Arabia has no extradition treaty with the United States. After Alfozan was arrested, a member of the Saudi military paid for his wife and infant son to fly business class from San Francisco to Qatar. They left on October 10.

Defense lawyer William Pernik says Alfozan is not a flight risk. Pernik explains that Alfozan often bought one-way tickets to save money and did not try to escape, even after learning that OpenAI had discovered the recording device. Pernik suggested that Alfozan could be released under GPS monitoring and required to stay at home. He also proposed that Alfozan hand over his passports and provide a bond co-signed by community members and backed by the Saudi Consulate General.

Alfozan, who started working at OpenAI in July 2025, could face up to five years in prison if convicted. U.S. Magistrate Judge Alex G. Tse is expected to decide whether Alfozan must remain in custody while he waits for trial.