Former OpenAI engineer denied bail amid espionage investigation

A federal judge in San Francisco has denied bail for Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old former OpenAI engineer facing charges related to the installation of a covert recording device in a company conference room. Federal prosecutors revealed that Alfozan was days away from traveling to Saudi Arabia when he was arrested in late September.

Investigators allege that Alfozan installed a sophisticated, encrypted audio device behind a television in a room reserved for meetings involving high-level company discussions and sensitive proprietary data. OpenAI officials reported that the device was designed to evade detection and noted evidence suggesting plans to install similar equipment in other parts of the facility.

Prosecutors argued that Alfozan possesses significant financial resources and connections to the Saudi Arabian government, which allegedly facilitated his family's departure from the U.S. immediately following his arrest. While defense attorneys argued that Alfozan’s 15-year residency and planned naturalization demonstrated strong community ties, the court determined that the risk of flight remained substantial.

Alfozan was terminated from his position at OpenAI following his arrest. If convicted of the charges, which involve the interception of oral communications, he faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.