He also allegedly tried to get them fired, posted pictures of them online and revealed private information about them on the Internet. — Pixabay
A self-proclaimed social media influencer from Whitehall has been federally indicted on allegations he cyberstalked women in Pittsburgh and across the country after following directions from ChatGPT, authorities announced this week.
Brett Michael Dadig, 31, was named as the sole defendant in a 14-count indictment, which claims he harassed, threatened and intimidated more than 10 women in Pittsburgh and across the US over the summer and fall by following advice from an AI chatbot.
"He caused his victims to fear for their safety and suffer substantial emotional distress," US Attorney Troy Rivetti said in a statement.
The lifelong Pittsburgh-area resident considered himself a social media influencer, authorities said, recording a podcast that focused on his "desire to find a wife and his interactions with women."
Mr Dadig allegedly told authorities that the chatbot told him he would meet his future wife at a "boutique gym or in an athletic community."
He then pursued women at gyms, where much of the harassment took place, according to the attorney's office, and allegedly threatened the women and gym employees repeatedly in social media posts, on his podcast and during phone calls.
On his podcast, Mr Dadig called the AI chatbot his "therapist" and "best friend," the indictment says. ChatGPT urged Mr Dadig to continue building his podcast as a "platform" to "stand out," according to court documents.
The allegations in the indictment pertained to 11 victims from Pennsylvania and other states including Ohio, Florida and New York. Mr Dadig returned to Pittsburgh periodically during his travels, where he continued his stalking behaviour, according to the indictment.
The alleged harassment occurred when Mr Dadig showed up to the women's homes and workplaces unannounced, according to the attorney's office. He also allegedly tried to get them fired, posted pictures of them online and revealed private information about them on the Internet.
Two of Mr Dadig's Pittsburgh-area victims obtained protection-from-abuse orders against him, which he broke online and in person, according to authorities.
After he was banned from gyms and businesses in one city, he moved onto another, according to the office.
"We remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect our communities from menacing individuals such as Dadig," Mr Rivetti said.
Mr Dadig was previously charged with three counts of cyberstalking on Nov 7 and has remained in custody pending a detention hearing that was continued at the request of defense counsel until Dec 15.
Each charge involving a PFA violation provides a minimum sentence of 12 months with a maximum total of 70 years in prison, a fine of up to US$3.5mil (RM14.4mil), or both, according to the attorney's office. – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/Tribune News Service
