Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes' prison sentence reduced by 2 years

Holmes reported to federal prison in Texas in May to begin serving an 11-year sentence. She's now projected to be released on Dec. 29, 2032

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Disgraced entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes, who was convicted of fraud linked to her blood-testing lab Theranos, had her prison sentence reduced by two years, the Bureau of Prisons website shows, but she has to earn the reduction.

An update to her profile on the Bureau of Prisons website lists her release date as Dec. 29, 2032, which means her 11-year and 3-month prison sentence has been reduced to nine years.

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The Bureau of Prisons confirmed that Holmes had a projected release date of December 2032. The agency said they couldn't comment further due to "privacy, safety and security reasons. However, they noted that, generally speaking, inmates can have their sentence reduced for good conduct and completing programs for rehabilitation and substance abuse.

"I'm not surprised by this development," NBC Bay Area legal analyst Steven Clark said. "She's not being treated differently than any other federal prisoners under this circumstance."

Holmes does have other options to get out of prison early.

Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes entered Texas prison where she could spend the next 11 years for overseeing a blood-testing hoax that became a parable about greed and hubris in Silicon Valley. Scott Budman reports.

"Another thing that Ms. Holmes may benefit from, because this is a non-violent crime, is a possible early release to a halfway house to acclimate her back into society," Clark said.

Holmes, 39, reported to federal prison in Bryan, Texas, on May 30 after she was convicted on four felony counts of fraud and conspiracy for duping investors into buying into Theranos, her blood-testing startup that she falsely promised could perform blood tests with a single drop of blood.

Holmes's ex-boyfriend and former Theranos executive Sunny Balwani also is serving a prison sentence on a fraud conviction. He also received a two-year sentence reduction.

Six weeks ago, Elizabeth Holmes reported to prison to start an 11-year sentence for investor fraud. But she’s already been told her sentence will be cut by two years if she stays out of trouble. NBC Bay Area’s Raj Mathai spoke to defense lawyer Paula Canny for some insight.

The reduction in sentence can, however, be taken away from either Holmes or Balwani if their behavior turns worse.

Holmes and Balwani also have been ordered to pay over $400 million in restitution to their victims.

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