A jury found Holmes guilty in January of four counts of investor fraud and conspiracy. Her sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 18 and she faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Prosecutors argued that “taking into account the extent of Holmes’ fraud”, their proposed sentence “will reflect the seriousness of the offences, provide just punishment for the offences, and deter Holmes and others”. Holmes’ attorney argued in documents filed Thursday that the former Theranos boss should receive no prison sentence and, at most, 18 months of house arrest. Court records claimed that Holmes had become a “caricature to be mocked and vilified” by the media over the years, although she is a caring mother and friend. “Ms. Holmes is not a danger to the public,” Holmes’ attorney said in court documents. “She has no criminal record, has a perfect record of compliance with pretrial services, and is repeatedly described by people who know her as a kind and loving person who tries to do the right thing.” “Ms. Holmes will never be able to look for another job or meet a new friend without the negative caricature acting as a barrier,” her lawyers argued. Her lawyers’ court documents included letters from family and friends vouching for Holmes’ character and asking for leniency. Among those who have written on her behalf is New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker, who wrote in a letter in September that he considers Holmes a friend after meeting her at a conference in 2016. “In the years since, I’ve always been struck by the way our conversations focused on her desires to make a positive impact on the world,” Booker wrote. “I still believe that he retains the hope that he can contribute to the lives of others and that he can, despite his mistakes, make the world a better place.” Holmes rose to prominence as the 19-year-old founder of Theranos, a company that claimed its technology could test with just a drop of blood. Theranos soared to a $9 billion valuation, with the help of major investors and board members, and Holmes herself once boasted a net worth of more than $4 billion. In 2015, the Wall Street Journal revealed that the company’s test had significant inaccuracies and that it was actually performing tests using traditional blood test methodology and technology. During the trial, witnesses said their concerns about Theranos’ technology were largely ignored, and that Holmes and her then-romantic partner, Sunny Balwani, who was the company’s chief operating officer, retaliated against employees who spoke out. Holmes claimed that Baluani, who is 19 years his senior, was emotionally and physically abusive during their relationship, affecting her behavior as Therano’s leader. Balwani himself was convicted in July of 12 counts of fraud and is due to be sentenced in December.
