Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of Theranos, was convicted of scamming investors ten months ago.
Her business was once worth $9 billion (£7.5 billion). It is now synonymous with business fraud.
The start-up, according to Holmes, 38, could identify hundreds of ailments with just a few drops of blood. That was false.
A jury found in January that she intentionally deceived investors. She was found guilty on four counts of wire fraud, which carries a 20-year maximum sentence.
The point of sentencing, though, has taken an eternity to arrive at.
Her defense team is pushing for a home arrest sentence of 18 months.
The prosecution demands that she serve 15 years in jail and repay investors for nearly $1 billion.
The judge must make a crucial choice. Executives from Silicon Valley will be watching with curiosity. Founders are seldom found guilty of fraud.
Holmes' fate will be used as a test case. Does Silicon Valley corporate fraud result in a smack on the wrist? Or does it imply lengthy prison time?
We're about to learn.
It's rare that Elizabeth Holmes had to wait so long for a decision. She was tried after her former business partner and boyfriend Sunny Balwani, in part due to this.
After Holmes alleged Balwani had been overbearing and even accused him of sexual assault, the trial was adjourned. The allegations have been vigorously refuted by Balwani.
Balwani was also found guilty of fraud in the summer. In December, the judge will impose his sentence.
Last month was the scheduled date for Holmes' sentence.
In an odd turn of events, the defense team said that a crucial witness, Adam Rosendorff, a former head of the Theranos lab, had visited Holmes' companion Billie Evans.
According to Mr. Evans, Rosendorff claimed to have shown regret and believed "he had done something wrong" by saying that the prosecution "wanted to make everyone appear terrible."
However, Mr. Rosendorff said he stuck by his first evidence when questioned by the court during a hurriedly organized session.
The 18th of November was announced as the new sentencing date.
Since her conviction, Holmes' most recent months seem to have been spent enjoying time with her family and relishing her freedom.
Pictures that Mr. Evans provided to the court depict skiing and Grand Canyon excursions. PJ days and baby baths.
Numerous letters endorsing Holmes' character have been provided.
One of them was written to the judge by US Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker.
The Democrat said that they had become friends after bonding over vegan food at a meal six years before she was accused of fraud. He made a clemency request.
Even a school interview, in which a young Holmes claims she always tries "to do right," has been provided by the defense.
Her defense team frequently reiterates the idea that she was attempting to assist others and that her objectives were honorable.
However, the prosecution is requesting a severe punishment for "one of the most significant white collar felonies Silicon Valley or any other District has ever seen."
They assert that it is just false to claim that Holmes has been unfairly victimized.
Additionally, the prosecution is requesting that Holmes pay $803 million in investor restitution.
Assistant US Attorney Robert Leach claimed, "She preyed on the aspirations of her investors."
Eileen Lepera was one such investor. A secretary from Silicon Valley claims that her boss advised her to invest in Theranos, predicting it to be the next Apple. She invested a portion of her life savings but lost it all.
She says, "I believe she ought to serve some time in jail."