Prosecutors: OpenAI employee accused of planting recording device appeared to receive Saudi government support

Prosecutors cite Saudi contacts

Prosecutors said Alfozan had communicated with an unnamed member of the Saudi Royal Family over WhatsApp for two years, including as recently as October 5. They also cited a May 2026 exchange in which the individual told him, “Saudi needs you more then [sic] the US!” Prosecutors said Alfozan replied, “100,” indicating agreement.

Prosecutors also said an unnamed Saudi military member booked travel for Alfozan’s wife and son on October 11. The family already had an October 12 reservation, which prosecutors said the Saudi government had paid for.

Device and security concerns

Prosecutors said OpenAI executives met with government officials in the room around the time the recording device was installed. In a Sunday filing, they warned that Alfozan’s conduct could endanger US national security.

Defense disputes flight risk

Alfozan’s lawyer, Pernik, said his client knew OpenAI had found the device about eight to ten days before his arrest. “If his intention was to flee, he would have done so at that time,” Pernik wrote. Pernik also said 96 of 138 airline bookings in Alfozan’s email since January 2021 were one-way tickets.