Elizabeth Holmes, the former chief executive of the now-defunct blood-testing company Theranos, has submitted a request for a commuted prison sentence to the Trump administration, according to federal records.
Holmes, 41, is currently serving an 11.25-year sentence in federal prison after being convicted in 2022 of three counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The convictions stem from her role in misleading investors about Theranos’ blood-testing technology.
Records from the Office of the Pardon Attorney indicate that Holmes filed the clemency request in 2025. As of January 2026, the application remains under review. No additional details about the request have been made public.
Holmes began serving her sentence in May 2023 at Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas, following several delays in reporting to custody. According to federal prison records, her projected release date is Dec. 31, 2031, reflecting sentence reductions for good behavior.
The White House declined to comment on the request. Holmes’ legal team did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Background of the Case
Holmes founded Theranos in 2003 at the age of 19. The company gained national prominence years later after claiming it could perform hundreds of medical tests using only a few drops of blood. Federal prosecutors later alleged that the technology never worked as promised and that Holmes knowingly misled investors and business partners.
At trial, Holmes’ defense argued that she was inexperienced and did not intentionally deceive investors. Prosecutors countered that she was fully aware of the company’s limitations and continued to make false claims to secure funding.
Holmes’ appeal of her conviction was denied in early 2025. Her former partner and Theranos executive, Sunny Balwani, was also convicted in a related case. His 13-year prison sentence was upheld on appeal.
Personal Circumstances
Holmes has two young children with her partner, Billy Evans. In a previous statement made after beginning her sentence, Holmes said that being separated from her family had been devastating, though she continued to maintain her innocence.
Her clemency request comes amid continued public debate over accountability in high-profile corporate fraud cases and the use of executive clemency for white-collar offenders.
No timeline has been announced for a decision on Holmes’ request.