Elizabeth Holmes - live: Theranos sentencing looms as disgraced CEO to learn fate in fraud trial
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The founder of Theranos, Elizabeth Homes, is set to learn her fate today as she appears in a San Jose federal courtroom where she could receive a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Prosecutors are demanding that she be sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role in the company’s fraudulent claims.
Calling the case “one of the most substantial white collar offences Silicon Valley or any other district has seen,” prosecutors vehemently rejected defence attorneys’ characterisation that Holmes had been unfairly victimised, in part by media coverage.
She was convicted last year of three felony counts of wire fraud and one felony count of conspiracy to commit fraud.
Holmes’ lawyers have cast her as a scapegoat who overcame a toxic relationship to become a loving mother. They have argued that sending Holmes to prison was “unnecessary”.
“We acknowledge that this may seem a tall order given the public perception of this case especially when Ms Holmes is viewed as the caricature, not the person,” the court filing said earlier this week.
Key Points
Elizabeth Holmes trial: Everything you need to know about the Theranos founder
Prosecutors push 15-year sentence for Theranos' CEO Holmes
‘The Dropout’: What was fact and what was fiction in the TV series
11:45 , Oliver O'Connell
True Crime stories have slowly but surely been taking over pop culture – encompassing everything from podcasts to TV series.
In the case of The Dropout, it’s taken the form of both.
The hit documentary podcast, focusing on the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and her multi-billion-dollar health tech company Theranos, was adapted into an eight-episode miniseries starring Amanda Seyfried.
But what was fact and what was fiction?
What is fact and what is fiction in The Dropout?
09:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Sunny Balwani, Holmes’ ex-lover and Theranos partner, was also convicted of fraud and conspiracy
In July 2022, Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani, the former lover and partner of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, was also found guilty of fraud and conspiracy charges.
Megan Sheets reported on the verdict at the time.
Elizabeth Holmes’ ex-lover and Theranos partner Sunny Balwani found guilty of fraud
Five takeaways from Elizabeth Holmes’s seven days of testimony
07:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Once-lionized entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes wrapped up seven days of testimony in her criminal fraud trial in early December 2021, largely having used the time to defend her actions as CEO of the startup Theranos. The company she founded had soared on the promise of innovative blood-testing technology only to crash in a sordid display of failure and alleged deceit.
Holmes alternately took responsibility for her missteps as CEO and cast herself as the abused victim of her former lover and business partner Sunny Balwani. She also repeatedly said she couldn't recall her actions at key points even when confronted with internal documents including her own emails.
Here are five takeaways from the trial to help you catch up as both sides prepare for closing arguments next week, after which the case will be in the hands of the jury.
What Elizabeth Holmes had to say at her trial: 5 takeaways
Prosecutors ask judge to impose 15-year prison sentence
05:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Federal prosecutors have asked a judge to sentence disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes to 15 years in prison, arguing she deserves a lengthy prison term because her massive scheme duped investors out of hundreds of millions of dollars by falsely convincing them her company had developed a revolutionary blood testing device.
Calling the case “one of the most substantial white collar offenses Silicon Valley or any other District has seen,” prosecutors vehemently rejected defense attorneys’ characterization that Holmes had been unfairly victimized, in part by media coverage.
Prosecutors push 15-year sentence for Theranos' CEO Holmes
Holmes has asked for leniency for her crimes
03:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes has cast herself as a Silicon Valley scapegoat who overcame an abusive relationship to become a loving mother in an effort to avoid a lengthy prison sentence for duping investors in her failed blood-testing company.
In an 82-page document filed last week, Holmes' lawyers tried to persuade US District Judge Edward Davila that sending Holmes to prison is unnecessary, partly because she has already been stigmatized by intense media coverage that has turned her into a “caricature to be mocked and vilified."
If Davila decides she send her to prison, Holmes' lawyers argued she should be sentenced to no more than 18 months — a fraction of the maximum of 20 years she is facing after being convicted on four felony counts of investor fraud and conspiracy earlier this year.
Read on:
Elizabeth Holmes asks for leniency for her Theranos crimes
A bid for a new trial faltered early on
01:45 , Oliver O'Connell
A key witness in the Elizabeth Holmes trial reiterated his initial testimony which had been questioned by defence attorneys, causing the Theranos founder’s bid for a new trial to falter.
Andrea Blanco reported on the development back in October.
Key witness in Elizabeth Holmes trial stands by original testimony
Holmes sought new trial claiming key witness regrets original testimony
Thursday 17 November 2022 23:45 , Oliver O'Connell
In September, the Theranos founder asked for a new trial just weeks before her original sentencing date.
In a court filing, Ms Holmes stated that former Theranos lab director Adam Rosendorff, a key witness in her initial trial, visited her home on August 8 and told her partner that prosecutors had twisted his testimony.
Abe Asher reported for The Independent.
Elizabeth Holmes seeks new trial claiming key witness regrets testimony
Why was Elizabeth Holmes’s sentencing postponed?
Thursday 17 November 2022 22:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Elizabeth Holmes’s sentencing was postponed in early October after claims that the prosecution allegedly engaged in misconduct.
Andrea Blanco and Abe Asher explain what happened.
Elizabeth Holmes’s sentencing delayed as prosecutors accused of ‘twisting’ testimony
Will Silicon Valley learn anything from Holmes’s conviction?
Thursday 17 November 2022 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell
The fraud conviction of former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes could offer Silicon Valley s culture of hubris and hype some valuable lessons.
Will anyone in the tech industry actually take this moment to heart? Don’t count on it.
What will Silicon Valley learn from Holmes' conviction?
Profile: Elizabeth Holmes
Thursday 17 November 2022 20:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Everything you need to know about the Theranos founder ahead of her sentencing.
Elizabeth Holmes trial: Everything you need to know about the Theranos founder
Citing key witness regrets, Holmes sought new trial
Thursday 17 November 2022 19:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Also in September, the disgraced Theranos CEO requested a new trial, asserting in a court filing that a key witness for the prosecution now regrets the role he played in her conviction for investor fraud and conspiracy related to her failed blood-testing startup.
Elizabeth Holmes seeks new trial, cites key witness' regrets
Judge declined to overturn Holmes’s guilty verdict
Thursday 17 November 2022 18:45 , Oliver O'Connell
In September, a federal judge on tentatively declined to overturn the jury conviction of disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes on four felony counts of fraud and conspiracy. That leaves the former Silicon Valley star a step closer to serving prison time.
Her sentencing is scheduled for Friday.
Judge declines to overturn Elizabeth Holmes guilty verdict
Sunny Balwani, Holmes’ ex-lover and Theranos partner, was also convicted of fraud and conspiracy
Thursday 17 November 2022 17:45 , Oliver O'Connell
In July 2022, Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani, the former lover and partner of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, was also found guilty of fraud and conspiracy charges.
Megan Sheets reported on the verdict at the time.
Elizabeth Holmes’ ex-lover and Theranos partner Sunny Balwani found guilty of fraud
Premium: Silicon Valley will never learn, even after Theranos founder’s conviction
Thursday 17 November 2022 16:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Greed, fear, and desire are all alive and well in California. Tech entrepreneurs with a good sales pitch will always be able to part fools from their money, writes James Moore.
Elizabeth Holmes has been convicted – but Silicon Valley won’t learn | James Moore
How the Theranos founder was convicted of fraud and conspiracy
Thursday 17 November 2022 15:45 , Oliver O'Connell
In January 2022, a jury found once-ascendant Silicon Valley star Elizabeth Holmes guilty of defrauding investors in her former blood-testing start-up company Theranos, which promised a revolutionary advancement in healthcare while raising millions of dollars.
Alex Woodward reported on the verdict.
Elizabeth Holmes found guilty of fraud and conspiracy at Theranos startup
Elizabeth Holmes trial: Everything you need to know about the Theranos founder
Thursday 17 November 2022 14:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Elizabeth Holmes was found guilty of defrauding investors in her former blood-testing startup company, Theranos, concluding a trial that gripped both Silicon Valley and the international media outlets which initially helped propel her to stardom.
She has now requested a new trial just weeks before she was set to be sentenced, claiming that one of the key witnesses has acknowledged regrets about the proceedings.
Elizabeth Holmes trial: Everything you need to know about the Theranos founder
ICYMI: Elizabeth Holmes seeks new trial, cites key witness' regrets
Thursday 17 November 2022 13:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes requested a new trial earlier in September, asserting in a court filing that a key witness for the prosecution now regrets the role he played in her conviction for investor fraud and conspiracy related to her failed blood-testing startup.
Read the full story here:
Elizabeth Holmes seeks new trial, cites key witness' regrets
ICYMI: Judge declines to overturn Elizabeth Holmes guilty verdict
Thursday 17 November 2022 12:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar
A federal judge, in September, tentatively declined to overturn the jury conviction of disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes on four felony counts of fraud and conspiracy. That leaves the former Silicon Valley star a step closer to serving prison time.
Read the full story here:
Judge declines to overturn Elizabeth Holmes guilty verdict
ICYMI: Elizabeth Holmes’ bid for new trial takes hit as key witness stands by original testimony
Thursday 17 November 2022 11:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar
The sentencing of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes was delayed.
The decision was made by US District Judge Edward Davila, Mr Davida reviewed claims raised by Holmes’s attorneys that the prosecution allegedly engaged in misconduct by forcing a key witness in her initial trial to give testimony that made “everyone look bad.”
Read more about what happened here:
Elizabeth Holmes’s sentencing delayed as prosecutors accused of ‘twisting’ testimony
Elizabeth Holmes trial: Everything you need to know about the Theranos founder
Thursday 17 November 2022 10:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Elizabeth Holmes was found guilty of defrauding investors in her former blood-testing startup company, Theranos, concluding a trial that gripped both Silicon Valley and the international media outlets which initially helped propel her to stardom.
She has now requested a new trial just weeks before she was set to be sentenced, claiming that one of the key witnesses has acknowledged regrets about the proceedings.
Elizabeth Holmes trial: Everything you need to know about the Theranos founder
ICYMI: Elizabeth Holmes asks for leniency for her Theranos crimes
Thursday 17 November 2022 09:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes is casting herself as a Silicon Valley scapegoat who overcame an abusive relationship to become a loving mother in an effort to avoid a lengthy prison sentence for duping investors in her failed blood-testing company.
In an 82-page document filed late Thursday, Holmes’ lawyers tried to persuade U.S. District Judge Edward Davila that sending Holmes to prison is unnecessary, partly because she has already been stigmatized by intense media coverage that has turned her into a “caricature to be mocked and vilified.”
Read the full story here:
Elizabeth Holmes asks for leniency for her Theranos crimes
Prosecutors push 15-year sentence for Theranos' CEO Holmes
Thursday 17 November 2022 08:44 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Federal prosecutors have asked a judge to sentence disgraced Theranos CE0 Elizabeth Holmes to 15 years in prison, arguing she deserves a lengthy prison term because her massive scheme duped investors out of hundreds of millions of dollars by falsely convincing them her company had developed a revolutionary blood testing device.
Calling the case “one of the most substantial white collar offenses Silicon Valley or any other District has seen,” prosecutors vehemently rejected defense attorneys’ characterization that Holmes had been unfairly victimized, in part by media coverage.
Read the full story here:
Prosecutors push 15-year sentence for Theranos' CEO Holmes
Thursday 17 November 2022 08:05 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s liveblog on Elizabeth Holmes’ sentencing.
