Elizabeth Holmes gets 135 months in prison when Booker is kidnapped in support

Theranos founder and one-time billionaire Elizabeth Holmes was sentenced to 135 months in prison by a California judge on three counts of investor fraud and one count of conspiracy, according to a report by Reuters on Friday.

Holmes was found guilty in January of deceiving investors into her startup’s blood-testing equipment, which promised patients accurate, quick results with just a drop of blood. Federal prosecutors had asked the presiding judge, US District Judge Edward Davila, for a 15-year sentence, while Holmes requested 18 months of house arrest.

Ahead of Friday’s verdict, Davila said Holmes’ case was “troubling on so many levels,” according to Reuters.

“This is a scam where an exciting endeavor has been pursued with great expectations, only to be thwarted by untruths, misrepresentations, outright hubris and lies,” added Davila.

Holmes’ families and friends had sent letters of support to Davila ahead of Friday’s appearance, defending her character and calling for a lighter sentence.

Among her supporters was Senator Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat, who said he 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 vegan are, reported Fox News.

In his letter to the federal judge, Booker wrote that during his tenure in public office he “lobbied for reforms in our criminal justice system,” adding that it “is writing with that in mind that I am writing to seek a fair and just sentence.” to replace Elizabeth Holmes.”

Michael Barbaro, New York Times Journalist and presenter of The daily Podcast, shared a photo of Booker’s letter on Twitter on Thursday.

Booker’s decision to use his “credibility and power” to defend Holmes’ actions was deemed “disappointing” by the American writer Christopher Farnsworthwho wrote in response to Barbaro’s post: “There is no denying that people who engage in purely financial crimes rarely have a hard time because under our current guidelines they are not considered dangerous.”

“Cory Booker is smart enough to know this, and he didn’t need to use his credibility and power in the cause of a woman engaging in fraud and putting patients at risk,” Farnsworth continued. “She’s still treated more easily than someone who robs a supermarket for $100.”

epidemiologist Lisa Fitzpatrick also responded to Barbaro’s post, asking Booker to explain himself “on behalf of the #healthtech, #digitalhealth, #entrepreneur, and #health communities.”

“She needs a punishment that’s harsh enough to send a message that just because you’re rich and supported by powerful people, you’re still held accountable,” Fitzpatrick said.

Helain Olenan opinion writer The Washington Postsaid Booker’s letter was “embarrassing,” adding that “Democrats shouldn’t be in the business of defending people convicted of fraud — even if they’re both vegan.”

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 one wonders why he’s doing it.”

Holmes originally faced a possible 20-year sentence, the maximum sentence for her federal fraud allegations. Her prison sentence is scheduled to begin in April.

news week Holmes’ attorney Kevin Downey has reached out for comment.