Federal investigators are assessing whether former OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan planned to share company information with Saudi officials, a question that could bring an additional economic espionage charge.
The possible charge remains under consideration and has not been filed. The inquiry concerns alleged intent; no completed transfer is reported. Alfozan was not employed by the Saudi government.
The existing case centers on a separate allegation. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said Alfozan was charged with “using or endeavoring to use a device to intercept oral communications.” A criminal complaint alleges a concealed recorder was placed in a meeting room used by OpenAI executives.
The two matters involve different alleged conduct: the filed case concerns interception of oral communications, while the possible espionage charge concerns whether he planned to share company information with Saudi officials.
EconoTimes previously identified Alfozan as a Saudi national in its earlier coverage of the federal case, which focused on the alleged recording device. That earlier coverage said no espionage charge had been filed at the time.
