Saudi Government Support Alleged for Ex-OpenAI Employee Accused of Planting Recording Device

A former OpenAI employee, Abdulrahman Alfozan, is facing accusations of planting a recording device in the company’s conference room. According to federal prosecutors, this was not an isolated incident, but rather part of a larger scheme that received considerable support from the Saudi government.

The FBI arrested Alfozan on October 9 after discovering the recording device in the back of a TV in the high-security meeting area. Prosecutors claim that OpenAI’s security cameras caught Alfozan near this room multiple times, despite his lack of authorization to attend these meetings.

Prosecutors also revealed that Alfozan had been in contact with an unnamed member of the Saudi Royal Family as recently as October 5. This individual frequently communicated with Alfozan on WhatsApp over the last two years and even told him ‘Saudi needs you more then [sic] the US!’ to which Alfozan responded affirmatively.

The complaint against Alfozan includes a photo of what prosecutors claim is Alfozan peering behind the TV where the recording device was found. This incident allegedly occurred in May 2026, around the same time that OpenAI executives met with government officials in this very room.

Prosecutors argue that Alfozan’s actions pose a danger to national security and could compromise sensitive discussions held at OpenAI. They also point out that an unnamed member of the Saudi military booked a flight for Alfozan’s wife and son on October 11, despite an existing reservation for an October 12 flight paid for by the Saudi government.

Alfozan’s attorney, William Pernik, has responded to these allegations, stating that his client does not pose a flight risk. He points out that Alfozan was aware of OpenAI finding the device approximately eight to ten days before he was arrested and would have fled if he intended to do so.

Pernik also highlighted that 70% of airline bookings in Alfozan’s email since January 2021 were one-way tickets, which prosecutors had previously cited as evidence of his intention to flee. However, Pernik argues that this context is missing from the prosecution’s case and suggests that it may be a common practice for people booking flights.

Pernik has proposed conditions for Alfozan’s release, including GPS monitoring, home detention, surrendering his passports, and agreeing not to travel outside Northern California. He also suggested that Alfozan would accept a bond co-signed by members of his Bay Area community and backed by the written undertaking of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The US Magistrate Judge Alex G. Tse is set to hear arguments later Monday on whether Alfozan should remain in custody pending trial.