Elizabeth Holmes. The founder of disgraced biotech firm Theranos, still had a one-way ticket to . Mexico in her possession shortly after pleading guilty to . Fraud charges last January, prosecutors said Thursday.
On January 3, 2022, Holmes was found guilty of lying to investors. According to information filed in court on Thursday, on January 23, 2022. The US government became aware of a flight ticket leaving Mexico from January 26. 2022 without a scheduled return trip.
In the response filing, prosecutors . Characterized his itinerary as an “attempt to flee the country.”
“The trip was canceled only after the government. Raised this unauthorized flight with defense counsel,” prosecutors said.
It’s unclear when Holmes bought the tickets. On Jan. 23, 2022, in response to questions about . The tickets from the lead federal prosecutor in the case, an attorney for. Holmes characterized the situation as a misunderstanding. According to an exhibit also filed Thursday.
“, it was a reservation that was made before the verdict,” Lance Wade said in response to . Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Schenck, according to the exhibit. “The hope was that the ruling would be different and . Ms. Holmes would be able to make the trip to attend the wedding of close friends in Mexico. Given the ruling, she was not planning to make the trip – and thus. Did not provide notice, seek permission, or get her passport for . The trip (which the government near) request access. But he still hasn’t canceled the trip despite what’s going on.”
Prosecutors’ response filing came as part of the government’s opposition to . Holmes’ motion to be released from custody pending an appeal of his conviction. In November, a judge sentenced Holmes to more than 11 years in prison. US District Court Judge. Edward Davila ordered Holmes to surrender himself to custody by April 27. It has not yet been determined. Where he will serve his sentence, but Davila has recommended a . Minimum-security prison camp in Texas.
Holmes’ partner. William Evans, also bought a one-way ticket “and didn’t return until about six weeks later. Returning from a different continent,” prosecutors said.
“The government expects (Holmes) to note in response that he did not actually leave . The country as scheduled—but it is difficult to know for sure . What (Holmes) would have done had the government not intervened,” prosecutors said.
(Holmes) has lived on an estate for over a year where. U.S. Based on monthly cash flow statements (holes) provided to. The probation office, monthly expenses exceed $13,000 per month,” they wrote.
They also noted that a judge found. That Holmes “did not realize that he would be incarcerated” based on the “bad faith hope that. The court would give [him] a probationary sentence.” Additionally, Holmes “did not show . . . in [his] words or manner, a true acknowledgment . That [s]he had stolen much amounts of money from [investors] by. lying and falsifying documents,” prosecutors said.
They object to any emancipation in this way.
“At the same time that his incentive to flee has never been greater, (Holmes) has asked . The court to ease restrictions on his travel, allowing him to travel outside. The Northern District of California and outside the state . The employment of his significant other.’
The United States maintained bilateral extradition treaties with Mexico in. The 19th century—in defiance of . The belief that crossing the southern border guaranteed freedom. Since 2005, Mexico has deported 150 to 200 fugitives to face charges in . The United States, according to the US State Department.
In one prominent example. Wanda Lee Ann Podgurski, convicted in 2013 of disability and insurance fraud. Was arrested in Mexico six months after an account in her name tweeted, “Catch me if you can.”
The US Marshals Service is . The primary agency designated to track fugitives. Besides to maintaining an office in . Mexico, the USMS works with law enforcement . Agencies along the Mexican and Canadian borders and with the . United States Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service.
An attorney for Holmes did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
