An OpenAI engineer has been charged by the U.S. Department of Justice with attempting to intercept oral communications after allegedly planting a recording device in an executive conference room. Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old Saudi national and U.S. permanent resident who worked as an engineer at OpenAI since July 2025, was arrested on October 9 and made his initial court appearance on October 13. Prosecutors allege he installed a Seeed XIAO ESP32-S3 Sense recording device via a USB port in a TV within the executive conference room on or around September 28, 2026. Company security personnel discovered the device wrapped in toilet paper on September 30. CCTV footage later placed Alfozan near the room on multiple dates, though he held no authority to access or participate in meetings held there, which are typically reserved for senior leadership and government representatives. The device’s microSD card appeared encrypted, preventing investigators from retrieving stored data after forensic imaging. OpenAI stated it used its models to analyze the device and found no evidence of data exfiltration. The incident prompted the company to install surveillance cameras in the room. Court documents indicate Alfozan had previously researched building layouts, meeting spaces, and audio-recording technology through an AI chatbot linked to his spouse’s account. On October 5, he was observed checking the TV setup behind the conference room. A second recording device was later found in his unattended bag in the printer room, alongside personal items reported missing, including cash and electronics. Alfozan claimed the items were stolen but later retrieved the bag from the Lost and Found. He faces a single count of attempting to intercept oral communications, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. FBI Director Kash Patel stated the case reflects a broader effort to protect sensitive AI innovation from foreign intelligence threats. OpenAI confirmed the employee was terminated and emphasized its commitment to safeguarding proprietary technology and national security interests.