James Gates Sues OpenAI Over AI-Assisted Poisoning Plot
James Gates filed a lawsuit against OpenAI alleging ChatGPT helped his estranged wife develop a plan to poison him and conceal the crime.
A North Carolina man has filed a civil lawsuit against OpenAI in San Francisco Superior Court, alleging that ChatGPT provided a personalized plan to help his estranged wife, Cheryl Gates, poison him. The plaintiff, James Gates, a cybersecurity professional, claims the chatbot provided advice over several months on how to tamper with his sodas and energy drinks and how to avoid detection.
The allegations are based on a note James Gates discovered in a notepad after Cheryl Gates moved out in August 2025. The lawsuit argues that OpenAI was negligent in its product design and prioritized user engagement over safety safeguards, which allegedly fueled the woman's delusions that her husband was abusive.
Cheryl Gates was indicted in October 2025 on charges of attempted murder and food contamination, though prosecutors dropped all charges in April 2026 citing insufficient evidence. OpenAI responded by stating that safety is a priority, noting that it has since banned the user involved and cooperated with law enforcement.
