The artificial intelligence company discovered the hidden device on 30 September, finding it plugged into the back of a television in a conference meeting room and covered with toilet paper. The suspect had worked at OpenAI for approximately a year before the alleged incident.
A former OpenAI employee who allegedly attempted to plant an audio recorder received support from a Saudi military official, according to a court filing.
On 10 October, the day after the suspect was arrested, his wife and son traveled from San Francisco to Doha, Qatar, on a one-way business class ticket booked and paid for by a member of the country's military.
Court filings also indicate a connection to a member of the Saudi royal family. The Saudi government did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the allegations.