OpenAI bugging suspect Alfozan pleads not guilty

Photo of Abdulrahman Alfozan checking a recording device in OpenAI's office in San Francisco, according to the Department of Justice.

Courtesy: U.S. Department of Justice

The Saudi national charged with planting a listening device in the headquarters of OpenAI while he worked there pleaded not guilty on Friday during an appearance in San Francisco federal court.

Abdulrahman Alfozan, 35, was sent back to jail after the brief hearing. Alfozan has been held without bail since his arrest on a criminal complaint in early October.

He faces a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison if convicted in the case.

A grand jury indicted Alfozan on Oct. 27 on a single count of interception of oral communications, court records show.

Alfozan's lawyer declined to comment after the hearing before Magistrate Judge Peter Kang.

The judge ordered Alfozan to next appear in court on Nov. 17.

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