Martin Shkreli Invokes the Fifth Amendment in House Appearance

[steve2470]

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/05/business/drug-prices-valeant-martin-shkreli-congress.html



In a testy exchange with lawmakers, Martin Shkreli declined to testify before a House committee on Thursday about his actions in increasing the price of a decades-old drug fiftyfold overnight.

Mr. Shkreli, who left Turing Pharmaceuticals, the drug company he started, after being indicted on federal securities fraud charges in December, repeatedly exercised his Fifth Amendment right to avoid self-incrimination, angering various members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen the committee treated with such contempt,’’ Representative John Mica, a Florida Republican, said after Mr. Shkreli was excused and left the room. Mr. Mica asked if Mr. Shkreli could be held in contempt of Congress. The committee chairman, Representative Jason Chaffetz, Republican of Utah, said he did not intend to do so.

[Eugene]

1. 'It's not funny, Mr. Shkreli': Drug exec grins before Congress

Source: USA Today

'It's not funny, Mr. Shkreli': Drug exec grins before Congress

Nathan Bomey, USA TODAY 11:25 a.m. EST February 4, 2016

Embattled drug entrepreneur Martin Shkreli — who vigorously defended his decision to hike the price of a life-saving drug from $13.50 to $750 — suddenly went silent Thursday at a Congressional committee, smirking and grinning instead of answering questions.

Now facing an unrelated federal criminal indictment, the typically loquacious Shkreli refused to testify, repeatedly citing his Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate himself.

Members of Congress launched into fiery lectures directed at Shkreli, whose previous company, Turing Pharmaceuticals, came under scrutiny when it raised the price of Daraprim more than 5,000%.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]

After the hearing, he removed any doubt about his feelings.

"Hard to accept that these imbeciles represent the people in our government," Shkreli said on Twitter, where he proceeded to retweet several users who posted supportive messages.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/02/04/martin-shkreli-congressional-testimony-turing-pharmaceuticals-valeant-fda-drug-prices/79808004/

[Hassin Bin Sober]

3. Laugh it up, Shkreli. You fucked up. You stole from rich people. THEY will have the last laugh.

[modem77]

2. I wish someone would have beat the smirk off his face.

[Mendocino]

4. I've seen that look before;

affluenza boy, James O'Keefe, Dylan Roof. I shall call it Smirkus Phycotiosois.

[bullwinkle428]

5. Dear Karma,

Please catch up to this slimy little sociopath ASAP. I promise to make it worth your while!

[gratuitous]

6. The committee knew he wouldn't testify with an indictment hanging over him

They just wanted to beat him up in front of the teevee cameras. I'm no fan of Mr. Shkreli, but I would have been hard pressed not to act very similarly should I have been haled before some congressional committee for such grandstanding and posturing at my expense.

The final scene from "The Front" suggests itself.

[PADemD]

7. Is that his ex boss he's talking to in the picture?

She doesn't look too happy.

[napkinz]

8. Shkreli & Trump

[Yavin4]

9. Hope they hosed down his chair after he left.

Better yet, just burn it.

[smirkymonkey]

10. I so hate that little shit. I would like to go all Al Capone on his head.

Sorry, he just makes me feel violent.

[Rex]

11. After growing up watching the Bush Goons make Congress look like a joke

I can see why an entire generation can see Congress as a joke. Of course Ghoul Shkreli made the one mistake of NOT checking to see first if he was Too Big To Jail...no, not at all.

Now maybe if he had owned DOW or Bayer. Then maybe...little fish like him fry. He better enjoy freedom while it is available.