‘Pharma bro’ pops bitter pill over hair-raising offer

Ex-drug company exec jailed after offering online bounty of $5K on Hillary’s hair

Washington, Sept. 14: A US judge on Wednesday ordered Martin Shkreli to be jailed while he awaits sentencing for securities fraud, citing a Facebook post in which the former drug company executive offered a $5,000 reward for a strand of Hillary Clinton’s hair.

Mr Shkreli, 34, dubbed the “pharma bro” for exploits that include jacking up the price of a lifesaving drug by 5,000 percent, was silent and stonyfaced as U.S. marshals led him out of a Brooklyn courtroom. He had been free on a $5 million bail since his December 2015 arrest.

US District Judge Kiyo Matsumoto ruled that Shkreli’s Sept. 4 post, made shortly before Clinton embarked on a book tour, showed he posed a danger to the public. The post prompted an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service, which is charged with protecting the former Democratic presidential candidate.

The judge rejected arguments by Shkreli’s lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, that the post was protected free speech, saying one of Shkreli’s Facebook followers - who number more than 93,000 - could take it seriously.

“This is a solicitation of assault in exchange for money,” the judge said. “That is not protected by the First Amendment.”

Shkreli was convicted in August of defrauding investors of two hedge funds he ran. Matsumoto on Wednesday scheduled his sentencing for Jan. 16.

Shkreli said in a letter to Matsumoto on Tuesday that his Facebook post was meant as satire. Brafman repeated that argument on Wednesday, but Matsumoto was not convinced.

“What’s funny about that?” she demanded.

Matsumoto, who was visibly angry throughout the hearing, also pointed to a post by Shkreli in July crudely saying he would have sex with a female journalist, Lauren Duca.

It never occurred to me that my awkward attempt at humour or satire would cause Mrs. Clinton ... any distress — Martin Shkreli, Retrophin Ex-CEO