‘Female Steve Jobs' who duped investors with sham blood-testing tech faces years behind bars
Evening Standard|January 04, 2022
A FALLEN Silicon Valley star once hailed as the “female Steve Jobs” faces years behind bars after being convicted of fraud following a landmark trial.
John Dunne
‘Female Steve Jobs' who duped investors with sham blood-testing tech faces years behind bars

Elizabeth Holmes, 37, was found guilty of turning her blood-testing start-up firm Theranos into a sophisticated sham that duped billionaire investors into backing revolutionary finger-prick technology that did not work.

A jury convicted her on two counts of wire fraud and two of conspiracy to commit fraud after seven days of deliberations following a three-month trial. Holmes faced 11 charges and was found not guilty of four, with the jury deadlocked on the remaining three.

She founded Theranos as a 19-year-old shortly after dropping out of studying chemical engineering at Stanford University. At one point the company was valued at $9 billion (£6.5 billion) and was the darling of a male-dominated Silicon Valley. Holmes drew comparisons to Apple’s Steve Jobs.

The firm promised it would revolutionise the healthcare industry, scanning for hundreds of diseases by taking just a few drops of blood with a finger prick instead of inserting a needle in a vein.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM EVENING STANDARDView all
"We're building a Spurs squad to compete now. This is not a project for five years time
The London Standard

"We're building a Spurs squad to compete now. This is not a project for five years time

BACK in December, in the run up to Christmas, Tottenham's technical director Johan Lange travelled to Stockholm on a special assignment. Lange's mission was to persuade Lucas Bergvall, one of the most exciting young players in Europe, to visit Spurs in the New Year.

time-read
5 mins  |
October 03, 2024
England's breakthrough star faces biggest challenge yet
The London Standard

England's breakthrough star faces biggest challenge yet

Pakistan, the Ashes and fatherhood now lie in wait for Jamie Smith

time-read
3 mins  |
October 03, 2024
Bizarre search results, battles in court - is it game over for Google?
The London Standard

Bizarre search results, battles in court - is it game over for Google?

RICHARD GODWIN asks if time could finally be running out for the all-powerful behemoth

time-read
4 mins  |
October 03, 2024
Finneas
The London Standard

Finneas

He's won Grammys and Oscars, but his proudest achievement? His relationship with his sister... Billie Eilish

time-read
6 mins  |
October 03, 2024
Has this legend of the London restaurant scene lost its cool?
The London Standard

Has this legend of the London restaurant scene lost its cool?

Once upon a time —not so long ago, less than a decade — being a D&D restaurant meant something. Back then, Le Pont de la Tour and Coq d’ Argent were governed by swathes of the most moneyed City regulars; Sartoria offered a hangout on Savile Row as stylish as any of its neighbouring tailors; and Quaglino’s, until recently, was the place mere mortals were most likely to bump into Prince Harry or Mick Jagger.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 03, 2024
Message to the Jews
The London Standard

Message to the Jews

Beware your liberal values those you see as allies are the vultures waiting for your demise

time-read
10+ mins  |
October 03, 2024
Are these the 18 ways that we could transform London?
The London Standard

Are these the 18 ways that we could transform London?

The capital could actually be good, but we need some radical new rules

time-read
4 mins  |
October 03, 2024
Change or die... London's eternal lesson to us all
The London Standard

Change or die... London's eternal lesson to us all

Like the city it serves, the new Standard must build on the best of the past

time-read
4 mins  |
October 03, 2024
The Tories are their own unique brand of special
The London Standard

The Tories are their own unique brand of special

Like Republicans, they're on a journey, but it couldn't be more different

time-read
4 mins  |
October 03, 2024
Plane truths...the world's most loved and loathed airlines
The London Standard

Plane truths...the world's most loved and loathed airlines

From endless delays and frightening mishaps to delightful cabin crew, the differences between airlines can be astonishing. So which ones rule the air and which dontimpress?

time-read
10+ mins  |
October 03, 2024