US judge dismisses Sam Altman's sister's sexual abuse claim over medical exam refusal

Background of the claim Ann Altman filed a civil action in January 2025 in the Eastern District of Missouri, accusing her brother, OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman, of repeatedly sexually abusing her between 1997 and 2006. The allegations state that the abuse began when she was three years old and he was twelve, and that the last alleged incidents occurred after he had become an adult. The suit was initially filed under a Missouri childhood sexual abuse statute after earlier claims of sexual assault and battery were ruled time‑barred.

Court proceedings U.S. District Judge Zachary Bluestone oversaw the case. After an earlier ruling in March 2026 that the original claims had expired, the judge permitted the amended filing. Throughout the litigation, the court ordered Ann Altman to undergo an independent medical examination as part of discovery. Judge Bluestone noted that she missed three scheduled examinations despite multiple reminders and warnings that non‑compliance would lead to dismissal. Ultimately, the judge concluded that her refusal to appear for the exam constituted a failure to prosecute the case meaningfully, and he dismissed the suit with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled.

Family response The Altman family publicly described Ann Altman's allegations as false. In a joint statement released when the lawsuit was first filed, Sam Altman, his mother and two younger brothers said the claims were “utterly untrue” and highlighted Ann’s ongoing mental‑health challenges. They also said the family had provided her with regular financial assistance, covering rent, bills and attempts to secure medical help. The family suggested that the accusations intensified as Ann continued to request additional funds.

Legal outcome The dismissal does not address the merits of the allegations; it is based solely on procedural non‑compliance. Sam Altman, now 41, has consistently denied the accusations. His legal team withdrew a defamation counterclaim against his sister on the same day the dismissal was issued. Ann Altman's former attorney, Santos Perez, who stepped away from the case in October, issued a brief statement expressing continued belief in his client but declined further comment. A new lawyer for Ann Altman has not yet responded to requests for comment.

The case underscores the importance of adhering to discovery requirements in civil litigation, particularly in high‑profile family disputes involving serious allegations. With the suit dismissed, any further legal action would need to address the procedural hurdles that led to the current outcome.