A formal request for a sentence commutation has been filed with the outgoing presidential administration by Elizabeth Holmes, the former chief executive convicted of multiple counts of investor fraud. The petition, listed as pending on the official U.S. Department of Justice website, seeks executive clemency for her more than 11-year prison sentence.
Holmes was found guilty in 2022 for her role in a massive fraud scheme centered on her company, Theranos. The startup had claimed to have developed groundbreaking technology capable of running a full suite of medical diagnostic tests using only a minuscule blood sample. This promise propelled the company to a valuation in the billions and attracted high-profile investors and board members.
Investigations later revealed the core technology did not function as advertised. The company’s claims unraveled following media reports and regulatory scrutiny, leading to the retraction of test results and the eventual collapse of the business. Prosecutors successfully argued that Holmes knowingly misled investors about the capabilities and financial health of Theranos.
The power to grant commutations rests solely with the president. Historical data shows the current administration has utilized this authority extensively in its final weeks, issuing over 1,600 grants of clemency during its most recent term, a significant increase from figures in prior years. The White House has not commented on this specific request.
Holmes, who began serving her sentence in 2023, has now placed her fate in the hands of the executive clemency process. A decision on her petition is awaited.