Martin Shkreli was subpoenaed to appear before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform this morning to discuss the astronomical drug price hikes he oversaw while running a pharmaceutical company, but while he showed up, the panel didn't manage to get a thing out of him. Shkreli declined to answers all questions directed at him, repeatedly invoking his 5th Amendment rights. He smirked through questioning and condemnation from lawmakers, drawing their ire on occasion. "It's not funny Mr. Shkreli," said Representative Elijah Cummings, "People are dying, and they're getting sicker and sicker."
"It's not funny Mr. Shkreli."
Shkreli was asked a series of questions, first about the drug price increases that have drawn him into infamy these last few months, and then about more inane topics like his purchase of the $2 million Wu-Tang Clan album. Shkreli declined to answer nearly all of them, finally confirming to one representative that his last name had been pronounced correctly. "See there," said Representative Trey Gowdy. "You can answer some questions. That one didn't incriminate you."
After acknowledging that he wouldn't get answers out of Shkreli, Cummings lectured him on the opportunity he has to use his position to help people, rather than be seen as a villain. "I don't ask Mr Shkreli," Cummings said. "I beg that you reflect on it." Meanwhile, Shkreli fiddled with a pencil and wiped away bits of eraser. "Are you listening?" Cummings asked. Shkreli offered one of his final responses: "Yes." The committee chairman then confirmed that Shkreli had no intention of answering any questions and dismissed him from the hearing.
He tweeted this shortly after leaving:
Hard to accept that these imbeciles represent the people in our government.
— Martin Shkreli (@MartinShkreli) February 4, 2016