'Pharma Bro' Breaks Down Before 7-Year Prison Sentence

Martin Shkreli sentenced for securities fraud
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 9, 2018 1:51 PM CST
'Pharma Bro' Breaks Down Before 7-Year Prison Sentence
This courtroom sketch shows former pharmaceutical CEO Martin Shkreli, left, seated next to his lawyer Ben Brafman in federal court, Friday, March 9, 2018, in New York.   (Elizabeth Williams via AP)

It turns out Martin Shkreli was a little off when he predicted he would only spend a few months in a "Club Fed" prison. The New York Daily News reports the "Pharma Bro," "international villain," and "most hated person in America" was sentenced to seven years in prison for securities fraud Friday. The 34-year-old Shkreli will get credit for the six months he's already served after having his bail revoked in September for offering $5,000 for a sample of Hillary Clinton's hair, according to the Washington Post. Shkreli was found guilty in August of defrauding investors in his hedge fund. But it was hiking the price of an HIV drug by 5,000% that first garnered him headlines. Since then he's been kicked off Twitter for threatening a journalist, been the subject of a satirical musical, fought with rappers, and called federal prosecutors "imbeciles."

Prior to his sentencing, a crying Shkreli, who one excused juror called "the face of corporate greed in America," begged Judge Kiyo Matsumoto for "your honor's mercy," ABC News reports. "The only person to blame for me being here is me," he said. "There is no government conspiracy to take down Martin Shkreli. I took down Martin Shkreli with my disgraceful and shameful actions." However, Shkreli's defense lawyer said he "shouldn't be sentenced simply for being Martin Shkreli," admitting "there are times I want to punch him in the face." Shkreli's seven-year sentence is about the midpoint between what the defense and prosecution was asking for. Earlier this week, Matsumoto ordered Shkreli to forfeit $7.36 million, allowing prosecutors to go after the sole copy of a Wu-Tang Clan album for which Shkreli reportedly paid millions. (More Martin Shkreli stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X