Theranos founder and once-billionaire Elizabeth Holmes was sentenced by a California judge on Friday to 135 months in prison on three counts of investor fraud and one count of conspiracy, according to a report from Reuters.
Holmes was found guilty in January for misleading investors on her startup’s blood-testing equipment that promised patients accurate, fast results from only one drop of blood. Federal prosecutors had asked the judge presiding over the case, U.S. District Judge Edward Davila, for a 15-year sentence, while Holmes requested 18 months in home confinement.
Prior to handing out Friday’s sentencing, Davila said Holmes’ case was “troubling on so many levels,” according to Reuters.
“This is a fraud case where an exciting venture went forward with great expectations only to be dashed by untruths, misrepresentations, plain hubris and lies,” Davila added.
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Holmes’ families and friends had sent letters of support to Davila prior to Friday’s court appearance, defending her character and seeking a lighter sentence.
Among her supporters was Senator Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey who said he had first met Holmes at a conference for the late Senator John McCain when the two shared a bag of almonds and bonded over both being vegans, reported Fox News.
In his letter to the federal judge, Booker wrote he has “advocated for reforms to our criminal justice system” during his time in public office, adding that it was “in this spirit that I write to advocate for a fair and just sentence for Elizabeth Holmes.”
Michael Barbaro, New York Times journalist and host of The Daily podcast, shared a photo of Booker’s letter on Twitter Thursday.
Booker’s decision to use his “credibility and power” to defend Holmes’ actions was deemed “disappointing” by American novelist Christopher Farnsworth, who wrote in response to Barbaro’s post, “there’s no arguing that people who engage in purely financial crimes rarely do hard time because they are not considered dangerous under our current guidelines.”
“Cory Booker is smart enough to know this, and he did not have to lend his credibility and power to the cause of a woman who engaged in fraud and put patients at risk,” Farnsworth continued. “She will still be treated more lightly than someone who robs a convenience store for $100.”
Cory Booker is smart enough to know this, and he did not have to lend his credibility and power to the cause of a woman who engaged in fraud and put patients at risk. She will still be treated more lightly than someone who robs a convenience store for $100.
— Christopher Farnsworth (@chrisfarnsworth) November 18, 2022
Epidemiologist Lisa Fitzpatrick also responded to Barbaro’s post, asking Booker to explain himself “on behalf of the #healthtech, #digitalhealth, #entrepreneurs and #healthcare communities.”
“She needs a harsh enough sentence to send a message that just because you are rich and endorsed by powerful people, you are still accountable,” Fitzpatrick said.
Helaine Olen, an opinion writer at The Washington Post, said that Booker’s letter was “embarrassing,” adding that “Democrats are not supposed to be in the business of defending people convicted of fraud – even if they are both vegans.”
Democrats are not supposed to be in the business of defending people convicted of fraud — even if they are both vegans. This is embarrassing, Cory Booker. https://t.co/JzpTgtweRG
— Helaine Olen (@helaineolen) November 18, 2022
Investigative reporter at the Washington Free Beacon Chuck Ross pointed out that it was a “risky use” of Booker’s “political capital” to show support for Holmes, “so it does make you wonder why he’s doing it.”
Holmes had originally faced a possible 20-year sentence, the maximum penalty for her federal fraud charges. Her prison term is set to begin in April.
Newsweek has reached out to Kevin Downey, Holmes’ lawyer, for comment.
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