Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Theranos founder accuses former COO of psychological and sexual abuse

Theranos founder accuses former COO of psychological and sexual abuse

THERANOS founder Elizabeth Holmes' claims that she was abused by the company's chief operating officer, who at the time was her boyfriend, could complicate jury selection in her highly-anticipated fraud trial, legal experts said.

The in-person questioning of prospective jurors, up to roughly 170, is expected to begin on Tuesday (31) in federal court in San Jose, California.


Court papers submitted more than 18 months ago and unsealed late Friday (27) revealed that Holmes had accused former Theranos COO Ramesh "Sunny" Balwani of psychological and sexual abuse.

Holmes' lawyers said her "deference" to Balwani led her to believe allegedly false statements about parts of Theranos that he controlled, including a claim about a partnership with drugstore chain Walgreens.

Holmes, 37, has pleaded not guilty to defrauding Theranos investors and patients by falsely claiming that the company had developed technology to run a wide range of tests on a single drop of blood.

Known for dressing in a Steve Jobs-style black turtleneck, Holmes herself has long been an object of fascination in Silicon Valley.

The meteoric rise and spectacular fall of Theranos turned Holmes from a young billionaire to a defendant who could face years in prison if convicted.

Her lawyers have said she may make the unusual move of taking the stand in her own defense, something that most defendants choose not to do because it opens them up to cross-examination by prosecutors.

The lawyers told US District Judge Edward Davila, who is overseeing the case, last year that Holmes was "highly likely" to testify about these claims, court papers show.

Balwani denied allegations of abuse in a 2019 court filing. He is scheduled to be tried on fraud charges related to Theranos after the end of Holmes' trial.

Lawyers for Holmes and Balwani did not immediately return requests for comment on Monday.

Before coming to court, 200 potential jurors filled out questionnaires about their familiarity with Holmes, who has been the subject of two books, two documentaries and a podcast. Thirty-three potential jurors were excused last week, including some who admitted bias.

Christina Marinakis, a jury consultant with IMS, a provider of expert and litigation consulting services, said prosecutors and Holmes' lawyers have likely combed through potential jurors' social media posts for their views about abuse, since they generally "don't like to talk about these things in open court."

Marinakis said jurors may be reluctant to admit to a tendency to view a claim of abuse as an "excuse" for Holmes' conduct.

"They may fear they are going to be looked at as misogynists," she said.

Holmes was 18 years old when she met Balwani, who is 20 years older than her, and started living with him around three years later, according to "Bad Blood," Wall Street Journal reporter John Carreyrou's best-selling book on the Theranos saga.

The book chronicles the rise and fall of the company Holmes started at age 19, concluding that she was a "manipulator" whose "moral compass was badly askew."

Tracy Farrell, a jury consultant who has worked on sexual assault cases involving clergy, said Holmes' lawyers may favour younger jurors, especially women, who might question any attempt by prosecutors to show the abuse defense as "just another con."

"It creates a kind of dissonance for women," Farrell said. "We want to believe them."

Marc Agnifilo, a New York lawyer, said Holmes' case had some parallels with that of Martin Shkreli, a former client found guilty in 2017 of bilking investors in his hedge funds.

Before his trial, Shkreli gained notoriety for hiking the price of Daraprim, a drug that treats life-threatening parasitic infections, by more than 4000 per cent in one day.

Holmes' lawyers, he said, should seek out "smart, open-minded jurors are not just going to buy into the government’s view of the facts."

More For You

UK business district
The Canary Wharf business district including global financial institutions in London.
Getty Images

Bond yields ease following Starmer’s support for Reeves

THE COST of UK government borrowing fell on Thursday, partially reversing the rise seen after Chancellor Rachel Reeves became emotional during Prime Minister’s Questions.

The yield on 10-year government bonds dropped to 4.55 per cent, down from 4.61 per cent the previous day. The pound also recovered slightly to $1.3668 (around £1.00), though it did not regain all its earlier losses.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gill becomes first Asian captain to score double-century in England

Shubman Gill reacts to reaching his double hundred on day two of the second cricket test match against England at Edgbaston cricket ground in Birmingham, central England on July 3, 2025. (Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)

Gill becomes first Asian captain to score double-century in England

SHUBMAN GILL etched his name in cricket history on Thursday (3), becoming the first Indian and Asian captain to score a double-century in a Test match on English soil as he powered India to a commanding position at Edgbaston.

The 25-year-old skipper scored 269 on the second day of the second Test, having shattered multiple records in a masterful innings that has put England to the sword.

Keep ReadingShow less
The Great British Sewing Bee

Patrick Grant, Esme Young and Kiell Smith-Bynoe return as judges and host

BBC

The Great British Sewing Bee 2025 to return on 15 July, BBC announces

Key points

  • The Great British Sewing Bee 2025 begins Tuesday, 15 July at 9 pm on BBC One.
  • The 11th series will see a new group of amateur sewers compete for the title.
  • Patrick Grant, Esme Young and Kiell Smith-Bynoe return as judges and host.
  • The show continues its popularity with weekly sewing challenges and heartfelt moments.

Great British Sewing Bee 2025 set to return on 15 July

The return date for The Great British Sewing Bee 2025 has been officially confirmed. The popular BBC One competition will be back on screens on Tuesday 15 July at 9 pm, bringing with it a fresh group of amateur sewers hoping to impress judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young.

Now in its 11th series, the show has grown into a mid-year television highlight, offering a combination of creativity, technical skill, and emotional storytelling. Hosted by Kiell Smith-Bynoe, the series follows contestants through a series of themed sewing challenges as they compete for the title of Britain’s best home sewer.

Keep ReadingShow less
Indian soldier

An Indian soldier stands guard as national flags wave in the background

Getty Images

India won the brief conflict with Pakistan but lost the propaganda war

Nitin Mehta

After the dastardly killing of 25 Hindus by terrorists in Pahalgam, India delivered a devastating blow to Pakistan. It sent the message that India will not tolerate terrorist attacks anymore. However, India seems to have lost the propaganda war. In any battle, propaganda plays a huge role.

There are two interpretations of how the brief conflict was suddenly brought to a close. The Indian interpretation is that the Pakistani commanders urged India to stop the conflict and India agreed. This in itself raises some crucial questions. If the enemy is urging you to stop, why would you? Certainly the great Chanakya's response would be to take full advantage of the enemy's weakness. Did India get any cast-iron guarantees that Pakistan will stop state-sponsored terrorist attacks? Did India ask for the immediate release of Sudhir Kulbushan Yadav who is in a Pakistani jail for nine years on false spying charges?

Keep ReadingShow less
Rajnath Singh

The council that approved the initiation of procurement for arms and equipment is headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

India starts process to procure arms worth $12.31 billion

INDIA’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the initiation of procurement for arms and equipment worth $12.31 billion (£9.05 billion), the defence ministry said on Thursday.

The council is headed by India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Keep ReadingShow less