Tuesday 8 August 2017

Martin Shkreli apparently back on Twitter as jury deliberations continue

SHKRELI BACK ON TWITTER?
NEW YORK  "Pharma Bro" Martin Shkreli is apparently back on Twitter — and back on the attack — as the jury in his fraud trial ended their third day of deliberations without reaching a verdict.

The pharmaceutical industry entrepreneur, whose Twitter account had been repeatedly suspended by the social media platform, appeared to be back using yet another handle: Sam@SamTheManTP.
"How to make people angry? Any fresh ideas?" Sam/Shkreli tweeted as the seven-woman-four-man jury went a full day without a verdict.
Sam/Shkreli, who previously tweeted an offer to sell Internet domain names of two female reporters covering his trial, tweeted a new offer Wednesday for "fresh" domains for the two women and other journalists. The offer promised "volume discounts."
Later, Sam/Shkreli he focused on the jury, tweeting, "Cmon gimme dat verdict."
The Twitter account's contents were classified as protected Wednesday night, limiting access to those who send a request to follow the account.
U.S. District Court Judge Kiyo Matsumoto banned Shkreli from discussing the criminal fraud and conspiracy case against him after he called federal prosecutors "junior varsity" and made other comments during unprompted comments to reporters shortly after the trial began in late June.
However, the judge's order did not restrict him from using social media to air his views. While blocked from Twitter, he used Facebook Live and YouTube videos to troll critics and give followers a weekly recap of his financial investing prowess.
Shkreli is best known for imposing a 5000% price hike on a medication used to treat a parasitic illness that typically attacks those with the HIV virus and others with weakened immune systems.
The eight-count fraud and conspiracy trial he is awaiting a decision on involves criminal allegations Shkreli scammed investors in two healthcare-focused hedge funds he once headed. He then allegedly repaid the investors with stock and funds taken without authorization from Retrophin, a pharmaceutical company he previously served as CEO.
Shkreli, who has pleaded not guilty, faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on one of the most serious indictment counts.
Jurors are scheduled to resume deliberations Thursday morning.
Follow USA TODAY reporter Kevin McCoy on Twitter: @kmccoynyc



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