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Elizabeth Holmes is going to prison – with a $500M bill

theregister.com

101–110 of 112 posts

Re: Elizabeth Holmes is going to prison – with a $500M bill

#101

10 years used to feel like a really long time to me. Now that I have two young kids the idea of missing out on 10 years of their life growing up is in the impossible to handle part of my brain. I feel bad for everyone effected and yes even her.

I haven't followed this closely but frankly I feel similarly. I think only people who are violent and dangerous to other people should be locked up, and even then only until they are no longer dangerous. If things can be organised so she is no longer capable of defrauding people (banned from holding certain positions in companies etc.) I don't see why she should be locked up. I'm sure I would feel differently if I ha…

You're discounting the deterrent effect. Defrauding investors has a huge negative impact on society, to say nothing of bogus blood test results, deceiving regulators, and ruthlessly threatening legal actions against whistleblowers and journalists.

Re: Elizabeth Holmes is going to prison – with a $500M bill

#103
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As opposed to mail fraud -- basically any kind of fraud committed via electronic communication. At the time they would have been thinking of telegrams and phones, but the statute covers fraudulent materials "transmitted by means of wire, radio, or television communication", so that covers the Internet as well.

If you commit all your fraud via Starlink, could you make the argument that you didn't do it over wire?

Hmm smoke singnals, semaphores and International Code of Signals.

I think the correct way is to pick something really old... Now your co-conspirators likely will screw it up.

Re: Elizabeth Holmes is going to prison – with a $500M bill

#105
post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably to telegraph the fact that it’s not using actual physical paper documents?

There is an appropriate name like Investment Fraud. Just wondering why don't use it and lump everything into under wire fraud which makes it seem a petty crime.

Because names are sticky and you don’t need generalised category names if there’s only one thing in the category. I’d imagine wire fraud was named when telegraph wires were the only long distance instant communication.

Re: Elizabeth Holmes is going to prison – with a $500M bill

#106

Does anyone have a clear and simple answer on why she got two years less than Sunny Balwani?

Balwani's story is quite amazing. The dude won startup lottery and made enough money that he wouldn't have to worry rest of the life. He had a mansions, sports cars and lived his life happily. One day this young women walks in his life and wants help with her startup. The dude throws away everything to make her startup success, burns midnight oil and torches ethics. He is much older and thinks he is in love. Only lat…

Prenup doesn't protect you from the US justice system though.

Re: Elizabeth Holmes is going to prison – with a $500M bill

#107
post #88
post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They almost certainly won't.

Yeah, but how does this work once she gets out of prison? A percentage off her paycheck every week 'til she dies?

Maybe something like this: https://www.vice.com/en/article/epxm5n/gary-bowser-small-apa...

Re: Elizabeth Holmes is going to prison – with a $500M bill

#108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

She likely had children because she thought it would make her more sympathetic. Unlikely given how she acts and treats all around her that the children are more than pawns in her game.

Imagine being her child; imagine growing up knowing that in all likelihood, you only exist because your mother wanted to stay out of prison.

i suppose the good news is her child will always have the money to pay for all the therapy to handle those issues herself.

Re: Elizabeth Holmes is going to prison – with a $500M bill

#109
post #88
post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They almost certainly won't.

Yeah, but how does this work once she gets out of prison? A percentage off her paycheck every week 'til she dies?

Her husband is an heir. She will never work again.

Re: Elizabeth Holmes is going to prison – with a $500M bill

#110
post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What is the minimum she must serve?

OP is absolutely wrong about this. Federal law requires that you serve 85% of your sentence before becoming eligible for parole or early release. She'll serve at minimum 9.5 years, (so, technically correct, but not what OP likely meant) unless she's pardoned or the sentence is overturned on a further appeal.

You're right, of course. Our nation would never be lenient on white collar crime.
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