PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 05: Founder & CEO of Theranos Elizabeth Holmes attends the Forbes Under 30 Summit at Pennsylvania Convention Center on October 5, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)
Elizabeth Holmes, the former CEO of Theranos, has formally requested an early release from prison, appealing to President Donald Trump for clemency. Holmes, who was convicted of defrauding investors, is currently serving an 11-year sentence at Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas. Her conviction, which took place in 2022, stemmed from allegations that she misled investors about the capabilities of her company’s blood-testing technology.
Holmes’ prison term is scheduled to conclude in December 2031. If her request for sentence commutation is granted, she could potentially be released nearly six years earlier than planned. The appeal was submitted to the Department of Justice last year, according to a report by CNN.
The legal troubles for Holmes began after a 2018 indictment, where she and former Theranos President Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani were charged with multiple counts of wire fraud and conspiracy. Both individuals pleaded not guilty, but in 2022, a U.S. appeals court upheld their convictions, as well as the order for Holmes and Balwani to pay a total of $452 million in restitution to their victims.
Theranos, once valued at a staggering $9 billion, claimed to revolutionize medical testing by using just a few drops of blood to diagnose various health conditions, including cancer and diabetes. The company attracted nearly $945 million in funding and garnered attention from a board of notable political figures and well-known retail partners. However, investigations, notably by the Wall Street Journal, raised serious questions about the accuracy of its testing methods and technology.
Holmes remains vocal about her case, expressing her determination to fight for her innocence. On January 22, 2026, she posted on social media, stating, “We are continuing to fight for my innocence and we know the truth cannot be repressed forever. This is not over.” She also indicated that her battle against what she perceives as the weaponization of the justice system is ongoing.
The White House has not commented on her clemency request, adhering to its policy of not discussing such matters publicly. As Holmes seeks to regain her freedom, her case continues to draw significant public and media attention, illustrating the ongoing debate surrounding accountability in the tech industry and the ramifications of corporate misconduct.
