Parents of OpenAI Whistleblower Sue San Francisco Police Over Investigation Lapses

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The parents of Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI employee found dead in November 2023, have filed a lawsuit against the San Francisco Police Department, accusing it of mishandling the investigation into his death. In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, Balaji's mother, Poornima Rao, described the police’s determination of suicide as "the height of cover-up," stating they failed to review critical evidence, including CCTV footage.

According to Rao, the police claimed the case was closed while simultaneously asserting it remained open, raising concerns about transparency. Balaji's family alleges that the police did not adequately explore the circumstances surrounding his death, such as checking the leasing office's CCTV records and conducting a thorough emotional state assessment. They are demanding a Federal Bureau of Investigation inquiry, claiming that evidence, such as a missing pen drive, has been mishandled.

As public scrutiny grows, Rao has expressed interest in seeking assistance from Elon Musk. Balaji had raised ethical concerns about OpenAI practices prior to his death, sparking further controversy regarding the AI firm's operations.

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