Ep 2. Theranos CEO on Trial

The American Greed season 15 episode 2 is named "Theranos CEO on Trial" and is a documentary-style show that exposes different cases of fraud and white-collar crime. The episode is focused on Elizabeth Holmes, the CEO of the now-defunct company, Theranos, and her trial for fraud and conspiracy charges.

Theranos was a healthcare technology company that claimed to revolutionize the blood testing industry by using just a few drops of blood for testing, instead of traditional needle-based blood draws. The company was founded in 2003 by Elizabeth Holmes, a Stanford University dropout, and promised to be a breakthrough in the healthcare industry. By 2015, the company was valued at $9 billion and Elizabeth Holmes was considered a tech icon.

However, in 2016, Wall Street Journal investigative journalist John Carreyrou published a series of articles exposing Theranos' fraudulent practices, and the company soon went out of business. Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos COO Sunny Balwani were charged with multiple counts of fraud and conspiracy in 2018 and were set to go on trial in 2020.

The American Greed episode covers the details of Elizabeth Holmes' rise to fame, the downfall of Theranos, and her trial for fraud and conspiracy charges. The show interviews various people involved in the case, including whistleblowers, former Theranos employees, and legal experts, who discuss their experiences and perspectives.

The episode dives into the allegations made against Elizabeth Holmes and Sunny Balwani, including claims that they knowingly misrepresented Theranos' technology and capabilities to investors and customers. The show also explores the impact the scandal had on the healthcare industry and raises questions about the role of Silicon Valley's obsession with "disruptive" technology in fueling scams like Theranos.

Throughout the episode, American Greed gives a comprehensive look at the case against Elizabeth Holmes and the complex legal issues at play. The show explores the evidence presented at trial, including testimony from former Theranos employees, and discusses the jury's ultimately decision.

Overall, "Theranos CEO on Trial" is a compelling episode of American Greed that exposes the shocking rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos. The episode provides an in-depth analysis of the company's fraudulent practices and highlights the importance of ethical business practices in the tech industry.