OAKLAND, California - OpenAI CEO Sam Altman holds more than $2 billion in companies that have done business with the AI firm, according to court documents filed as he faces claims of self-dealing from state attorneys general and Elon Musk.
The revelations came during hearings on Musk's lawsuit seeking $150 billion in damages and Altman’s removal as an officer and board member. Musk alleges breach of charitable trust and unjust enrichment. Altman denies the claims, saying he recused himself from key discussions.
The document disclosed Altman’s stakes in nine companies with OpenAI deals, worth an estimated $1.7 billion in fusion firm Helion Energy, $633 million in payments giant Stripe, and $258 million in biotech Retro Biosciences. He also held stakes in chip maker Cerebras, HR software firm Lattice, AI device maker Humane, and AI pharma company Formation Bio.
Altman testified that he asked OpenAI’s board to explore working with Helion in late 2022, calling it “a good deal.” He stepped down from Helion’s board in March 2026. He also said he was “recused” from the Helion deal and did not sign the agreement.
Ten Republican state attorneys general asked the SEC to scrutinize OpenAI documents ahead of a potential IPO, citing “serious legal questions” over Altman’s conduct. The SEC declined to comment. The House Oversight Committee also requested information on OpenAI’s conflict-of-interest policies.