US prosecutors allege Saudi support for ex-OpenAI engineer accused of planting recording device

US prosecutors allege ex-OpenAI engineer Abdulrahman Alfozan received considerable support from the Saudi government while facing charges over a planted recording device in a conference room.

• US prosecutors charged Alfozan, 35, with using an electronic device to intercept oral communications in an OpenAI conference room.
• Prosecutors allege Alfozan had frequent contact with an unnamed Saudi royal family member and a Saudi military official paid for his wife and son's return flight.
• Prosecutors asked a federal judge to keep Alfozan in US custody pending trial, arguing he poses a flight risk.
• Alfozan is scheduled to appear in federal court in San Francisco on Monday following his October 9 arrest.