Taking Down Theranos
Date of Event
10-14-2025
Description
Join us for an exclusive talk with George Scavdis, the lead FDA investigator and CWRU School of Law alumnus who prosecuted Theranos.
In 2018, the world watched as a $9 billion company, once hailed as a medical breakthrough, crumbled into one of the biggest corporate fraud cases in history. What really happened behind the closed doors of Theranos? And how did a company with such a powerful vision go so wrong?
George Scavdis, a former special agent for the FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations, was the man on the inside. He'll take us beyond the headlines and into the heart of the investigation, sharing firsthand insights into the compliance failures that led to the downfall of Elizabeth Holmes and Sunny Balwani.
Drawing on his 22-year career prosecuting complex fraud cases—from medical device companies to healthcare schemes—Scavdis will reveal how organizations often stumble not from malicious intent, but from a lack of oversight, poor communication and gaps in regulatory understanding.
This isn't just a story about a sensational crime; it's a powerful lesson in prevention. Scavdis will share how his experience with real cases and real consequences led him to a new mission: helping companies build stronger compliance systems before they find themselves in the crosshairs of federal law enforcement.
Don't miss this rare opportunity to learn from the investigator who witnessed it all.
Subject Headings
Theranos; criminal prosecution of Theranos; FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations
Location
Moot Court Room (A67)
Document Type
Video
Recommended Citation
Scavdis, George A., "Taking Down Theranos" (2025). Conferences and Symposia. 1132.
https://scholarlycommons.law.case.edu/law_videos_general/1132