Martin Shkreli Pleads the Fifth When Congress Asks About Wu-Tang Clan Album
A bizarre moment took place in Congress today (Feb. 4) during a hearing with controversial pharmaceutical CEO Martin Shkreli. Shkreli was summoned by Congress to testify in a hearing about drug prices and during the talk, he was asked about his purchase of the rare Wu-Tang Clan album, Once Upon a Time in Shaolin,
According to The Washington Post, Shkreli refused to answer due to his rights under the Fifth Amendment. The spectacle came about as Congress summoned Shkreli for a hearing as they looked to get answers about his role in the price gouging of the AIDS medication Daraprim.
As the focus turned towards Shkreli and questions were asked, he immediately began to plead the fifth. The show began as Shkreli delivered his rehearsed statement of pleading the fifth at almost every turn.
South Carolina Representative Terry Gowdy was frustrated by the situation and tried to get Shkreli to talk. His plan was to bring up the Wu-Tang Clan album.
"We can even talk about the purchase of Wu-Tang Clan—is that the name of the album? The name of the group?" Gowdy asked.
Shkreli stuck to his plan though and simply pleaded the fifth. This clearly flustered Gowdy, who expressed his disbelief with the situation.
"Mr. Chairman, I am stunned that a conversation about an album he purchased could possibly subject him to incrimination," Gowdy said.
After it became obvious Shkreli would not talk, Maryland Representative Elijah Cummings spoke to the controversial figure at length about the positive change Shkreli could make by working to lower the price of the Daraprim. Cummings' plea seemed to fall on deaf ears though.
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