‘Pharma Bro’ May Have Set Himself Up For Contempt Of Congress Charge
Martin Shkreli was subpoenaed to testify before Congress, and last month took to Twitter to suggest he might not show. But show he did Thursday morning, sitting on a panel of pharmaceutical executives and a member of the FDA, in a House hearing on drug price gouging.
Shkreli used his constitutional right to avoid self-incrimination in response to nearly every question, sans the pronunciation of his last name.Â
But it wasn’t pleading the Fifth that was so offensive, it was his contempt of the lawmakers duly-elected by the American people, among them the august civil rights leader Rep. Elijah Cummings, that was so disgusting.
In fact, as Cummings was delivering his opening remarks, Shkreli was smirking, which elicited this response from the Democratic  ranking member: “It’s not funny Mr. Shkreli, people are dying, and they are getting sicker and sicker.”
Not only was Shkreli smug, he at times turned his head away from lawmakers addressing him directly, played with his pencil, and spoke with disdain to Congress.
Asked by Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC)Â why he would not answer questions, Shkreli not only pleaded the Fifth, he offered this response:
“I intend to follow the advice of my counsel, not yours.”
After making it clear he would answer no questions, Shkreli was instructed to leave and was escorted out of the chamber.Â
Almost immediately after being kicked out of the House hearing, Shkreli took to Twitter to continue the insult parade:
Watch his “testimony”:Â