Former OpenAI Engineer Arrested for Planting Recording Device Had One-Way Flight to Saudi Arabia Booked, DOJ Says

A former OpenAI engineer charged with planting a recording device in a conference room at the artificial intelligence company's San Francisco office had a one-way flight booked to Saudi Arabia days before his arrest, the Department of Justice said.

Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35, a Saudi national, had a flight scheduled for Oct. 12, days after his arrest, for himself, his wife, and another relative, according to court documents. Prosecutors cited these travel plans in a request to seal the criminal complaint and arrest warrant, arguing that public knowledge of the case could prompt Alfozan to flee the country.

Alfozan was arrested on Oct. 9 and charged with using or attempting to use a device to intercept oral communications. OpenAI discovered the encrypted device on Sept. 30, plugged into a USB port on the back of a television in a conference room designated for highly confidential discussions involving proprietary research, product plans, and business opportunities.

Federal prosecutors stated that the device, concealed in toilet paper, had allegedly been installed two days prior. OpenAI security footage reportedly showed Alfozan near the conference room multiple times, leading to his identification by authorities. Additionally, a chatbot associated with his wife was allegedly used to research methods for installing and hiding audio recording devices.

In an Arabic podcast last month, Alfozan recounted a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the prince's 2016 visit to Silicon Valley. Alfozan mentioned contemplating a return to his native country, to which the prince reportedly advised young Saudis working in Silicon Valley to refine their skills at leading tech companies before returning home with their expertise.

Alfozan's attorney could not be reached for comment by Fox News Digital.