Judge Orders Former OpenAI Engineer Held in Office Recorder Case

U.S. Magistrate Judge Alex G. Tse ordered former OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan held in custody Oct. 19 after finding a risk he would flee while facing a charge involving a concealed office recorder.

Separately, prosecutors say browsing history on Alfozan’s phone showed access on Oct. 4 to a folder labeled “Saudi Gov Docs.” They have not described its contents or alleged that it held OpenAI information. Prosecutors also say he exchanged messages with a member of the Saudi royal family in 2025 and 2026.

Prosecutors allege Alfozan used an internal productivity tool to ask about meeting rooms and Saudi-related engagements. His lawyers dispute the government’s account of his access to the room.

OpenAI discovered a recorder behind a conference-room television Sept. 30. Prosecutors allege Alfozan installed it around Sept. 28. The room was used for confidential company discussions, including meetings with government officials. Staff found a similar device in his unattended bag about Oct. 5. Prosecutors also described phone photos dated Sept. 22 through Sept. 28 showing another recorder and equipment in OpenAI offices, without alleging that the pictured device was installed.

The detention hearing focused on Alfozan’s planned one-way flight to Riyadh on Oct. 12. He was arrested Oct. 9. His wife and son left the United States Oct. 10 on a flight to Doha, Qatar, distinct from the planned Riyadh flight. Prosecutors later said they were in Saudi Arabia.

Prosecutors described the buyer of the Oct. 10 tickets as a Saudi military official. Alfozan’s lawyers identified the same man as his brother-in-law and said he paid with personal funds. The two sides dispute whether the payment was official assistance or a relative’s personal help.

His lawyers say the one-way ticket at issue in the earlier flight dispute was booked Sept. 13, before OpenAI found the recorder. They say he routinely booked one-way trips and sought his release under home detention, GPS monitoring and surrender of his travel documents. Tse denied release.

Alfozan faces one count of using or attempting to use a device to intercept oral communications. The charge carries a maximum prison sentence of five years if he is convicted. He is not charged with espionage or acting for a foreign government.