Elizabeth Holmes' Jurors Shown Lovey-Dovey Text Messages Exchanged With Allegedly Abusive Theranos Partner-Turned-Boyfriend
Sept. 15 2021, Published 6:09 p.m. ET
Prosecutors are continuing to poke holes in Elizabeth Holmes' defense that she was under the control of her allegedly abusive and coercive business partner-turned-boyfriend at the time of her alleged fraud, and that the only thing she is guilty of is a failing company.
The 37-year-old Theranos founder sat quietly inside the San Jose, California, courtroom where her ongoing criminal trial is taking place, watching as the judge and jurors were presented with more text messages she exchanged with the then-president of the now-defunct Silicon Valley startup, Ramesh "Sunny" Balwani.
The newly released messages continue to be lovey-dovey and paranoid in nature, much like the ones presented to the court last week.
Holmes is facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud charges. Balwani's trial on similar charges will begin early next year.
Both are accused of defrauding patients, doctors and investors in an elaborate, multimillion-dollar scheme using a blood-testing technology they knew was flawed and provided inaccurate results.

"Really want to be home so bad. Feel like I an [sic] living another life," Balwani wrote to Holmes in November of 2013 when he was out of town.
"I know," she replied. "So strange not coming home to you."
He later texted, "We need to get business in control. Missing u."
"Missing you more," she sent back.
In October of 2014, Balwani texted Holmes, "Careful what u say. They will steal ideas," though it is unclear to whom he was referring. An hour later, he urged her to "change your energy please."
Holmes' attorneys have previously said she is "highly likely" to take the witness stand to testify about how her relationship with Balwani, who is 19 years her senior, was controlling and therefore affected her mental state.
In their opening statements, they assured the court their client was a hard-working businesswoman whose company simply did not succeed.