Elizabeth Holmes, the disgraced founder of Theranos, has petitioned president Donald Trump to commute her prison sentence. She still has almost six years left to serve after being convicted of wire fraud and conspiracy in 2022.
Holmes’ request comes on the heels of a recent decision by a federal appeals court to uphold her original 11-year sentence.The court rejected arguments that her trial was unfair, solidifying the conviction. Reuters and NBC News both reported on the commutation request on January 26, 2024.
The case against Holmes centered on her claims that Theranos’ technology could revolutionize blood testing. She falsely asserted the company’s devices could perform a wide range of tests using just a few drops of blood. Investors were lured in by these promises, pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into the company. Though, the technology never worked as advertised.
In january 2022, Holmes was found guilty on four counts of defrauding investors. While she avoided conviction on charges related to patient testing, the jury determined she intentionally misled investors about the capabilities of Theranos. The Department of Justice outlined the details of her conviction and sentencing.
Her former business partner,Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani,was also convicted on similar charges and received a nearly 13-year prison sentence. The New York Times covered Balwani’s sentencing in May 2023.
It remains to be seen whether President trump will consider Holmes’ request. Commutations are within the president’s power, but are typically reserved for cases involving perceived injustices or remarkable circumstances. The high-profile nature of the Theranos scandal and the severity of Holmes’ crimes will likely be key factors in any decision.
