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.

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