Abdulrahman Alfozan, the former OpenAI engineer charged with planting a hidden recorder in a company conference room, formally denied the allegation on Friday, entering an OpenAI engineer not guilty plea during a brief appearance in San Francisco federal court.
The 35-year-old has been in custody since federal agents arrested him on October 9. He faces a single count of intercepting oral communications. A judge at an earlier hearing concluded he posed a flight risk and refused to grant bond, so Alfozan has remained detained in the weeks leading up to Friday’s arraignment.
What Prosecutors Allege
According to prosecutors, Alfozan concealed a recording device wrapped in toilet paper behind a television in one of OpenAI’s conference rooms. An FBI affidavit filed in the case included an that prosecutors say shows Alfozan looking behind that television. The government has also pointed to the chatbot history of Alfozan’s wife, which they allege contained multiple prompts about constructing, testing, and concealing an audio recorder.
Alfozan was fired by OpenAI before his arrest. The company has not publicly commented on the specifics of the case beyond the charges filed.
Friday's Court Appearance
During the hearing, Judge Peter Kang reminded Alfozan of his right to remain silent and his right to an attorney. Alfozan’s defense lawyer, David Rizk, waived the reading of the indictment and entered the not-guilty plea on his client’s behalf.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for November 17.
Background and Immigration Status
Alfozan and his wife lived in Millbrae, California, where neighbors described the couple as largely private, though they occasionally hosted parties. Before joining OpenAI, Alfozan worked at Facebook and at a Y Combinator-backed startup called Nash. He also spent time as a venture capital investor for a Saudi firm.
He has lived in the United States since his college years. His previous lawyer said Alfozan holds a green card, making him a permanent legal resident, and was weeks away from a naturalization interview when he was taken into custody.
Legal Posture
The not-guilty plea sets the stage for further proceedings, with the government expected to present evidence supporting the single charge. Alfozan’s detention is set to continue unless his legal team succeeds in a future bid for release. For now, the case remains in its early stages, with the November 17 hearing likely to address scheduling and other preliminary matters.
