A MOTHER OF TWO ... A federal court document filed Feb. 23 has revealed that disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes recently gave birth to her second child. In a motion for release pending appeal, Holmes' attorneys argued that she isn't a flight risk given "her toddler and infant, her partner, her aging parents, her brother, and her partner's parents and siblings — are all in the United States." The court document doesn't provide further details on the second child, such as when the baby was born. Her next court hearing is scheduled for March 17 before Judge Edward Davila at the federal courthouse in San Jose. Holmes, who turned 39 years old in early February, is currently scheduled to enter federal custody on April 27. Last year, she was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison for four counts of wire fraud committed while CEO of the blood testing company that was based in Palo Alto. "Unsurprisingly, after a complex trial, there are many such issues here, any one of which — if resolved in Ms. Holmes' favor — would require a new trial," the Feb. 23 court filing states. Theranos disbanded in 2018, months after Holmes was indicted by a federal grand jury. In an earlier motion filed after her sentencing, Holmes' lawyers sought their client be kept free until a higher court looks over the outcome of her trial.
HAVE YOUR SAY ... The public can learn more about Palo Alto's proposed Recreation Wellness Center at a community meeting that will be hosted by the city on March 7. The facility was first pitched by the Parks and Recreation Commission in late 2021 and soon after drew the interest of developer John Arrillaga, who offered $30 million for the project. The donation seemed too good to be true, but ultimately didn't materialize before the philanthropist died in January 2022. Despite this, the city remains committed to building the facility with support from private donors. Tuesday's meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Mitchell Park Community Center at 3700 Middlefield Road, where city staff plan to cover the proposed gym's location, amenities and programs. For more information, visit cityofpaloalto.org/calendar.
