Shrek the Pharma King, once notorious for raising medication prices exponentially, finds himself in hot water again after a series of threatening posts aimed at Hillary Clinton. In court documents filed recently, prosecutors claim this is part of a "escalating pattern of threats and harassment."
Former pharmaceutical executive Shkreli, who made headlines in 2015 for skyrocketing drug prices, was convicted last year of securities fraud after mismanaging investment funds. The recent issue stems from a Facebook post, in which Shkreli spread conspiracy theories about the Clinton Foundation and offered a bounty for Clinton's hair in return, all while serving jail time for his fraud conviction.
Prosecutors spoke out against these actions, saying, "This is certainly unbecoming conduct for a defendant who has been convicted of securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud – and who, by law, should be in pretrial detention."
Shkreli later amended his post, labeling it as 'satire,' but it was too late. The provocative post stirred up an investigation by the intelligence services. Hillary Clinton is currently promoting her book, "What Happened." Her representatives and the intelligence services declined comment.
Prosecutors provided other examples of Shkreli's past harassment. They cited his hanging out near Chelsea Clinton's apartment when her mother was recovering from an illness and live-streaming an interrogation.
Shkreli's lawyer, Ben Brafman, stated, "Regardless of how inappropriate some of Mr. Shkreli's posts may have been, we do not believe he intended to harm anyone or pose a threat to the community."
The serious charge against Shkreli carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence, but the final term is yet to be set.
Shkreli's wild antics continued during his trial, earning him reprimands from the judge. He used social media to threaten Clinton and engage in business-related conspiracies, all against the wishes of his attorneys.
Shkreli's legal struggles are far from over. His past convictions and ongoing legal obligations, combined with increased regulatory scrutiny and a negative public image, make his future in business precarious.
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Enrichment Data:
- Shkreli's legal issues extend beyond his recent social media posts. Previously, he was convicted of securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud in 2017, resulting in a seven-year prison sentence. Shkreli was released early in 2022 due to good behavior.
- In addition to the securities fraud conviction, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) imposed a lifetime ban on Shkreli from participating in any pharmaceutical-related business activities.
- Shkreli is also subject to ongoing legal obligations, including restitution payments and court-ordered financial settlements related to his conviction.
- His actions have attracted significant regulatory attention, leading to increased oversight and restrictions on his financial activities.
- Given his unprofessional behavior and past convictions, Shkreli's public image and business opportunities remain under scrutiny.
The context is limited to highlighting Shkreli's legal struggles and his past convictions. The enrichment data supports this by providing further details about the nature of Shkreli's conviction, the FTC's lifetime ban, and ongoing legal obligations.
