FTC Seeks Contempt Order Against Shkreli Over Pharma Ban Violations
Federal regulators and seven states allege Martin Shkreli repeatedly defied a 2022 lifetime ban from the pharmaceutical industry.
The Federal Trade Commission and seven states have asked a federal judge to hold Martin Shkreli in contempt of court, alleging he repeatedly and flagrantly violated a 2022 order permanently barring him from the pharmaceutical industry, according to a filing made public Thursday.
The 2022 court order arose from prior federal action against Shkreli, who gained national notoriety for dramatically raising the price of life-saving drugs. The lifetime ban was intended to prevent him from exercising any future influence over pharmaceutical markets, regulators said.
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The FTC's contempt request signals that the commission believes existing civil penalties and court orders have proven insufficient to restrain Shkreli's conduct. Contempt proceedings can carry additional financial sanctions or other court-imposed remedies beyond the original order's scope.
The coalition of seven states joining the FTC underscores the broad concern among regulators at multiple levels of government about pharmaceutical pricing practices and industry accountability. Their combined legal pressure reflects an effort to enforce the 2022 ruling through the courts rather than pursue new rulemaking or legislation.
No court date for the contempt hearing has been publicly announced. Continue reading at Press Release Feed.
