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Martin Shkreli, chief executive officer of Turing Pharmaceuticals LLC, exits federal court in New York, on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015.
A month after being sued, it was revealed that Shkreli, at his new company Turing Pharamceuticals, had jacked up the price of the anti-parasitic drug Daraprim by more than 5,500 percent. Instead of ignoring reporters' questions about the price increase of the drug, which is used to treat people with toxoplasmosis, Shkreli embraced the publicity, speaking with The New York Times and other media outlets, and arguing that the price of $750 per pill was necessary and good business.
"No," Shkreli answered when a CNBC reporter asked him on air he if would cut the price in light of the backlash over the increase.
Shkreli has kept up media appearances since then, suggesting he would cut Daraprim's price, then avoiding doing so, then saying he would cut the price, but only for certain health providers.
Last week, it was revealed that Shkreli bought a single-copy album of the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan for $2 million. He then said he didn't plan on listening to it anytime soon.
On Thursday, the Securities and Exchange Commission unsealed a civil case against Shkreli, accusing him of orchestrating "widespread fraudulent conduct" from 2009 through 2014.
"Well, that's pretty smart," New York City criminal defense lawyer Gerald Lefcourt said sarcastically about Shkreli's behavior in recent months.
Lefcourt said that except in rare cases, where he believes it's important for clients to speak publicly to make their position known in the media, talking to reporters is is something "that I almost never advise my clients to do."
Lefcourt said that Shkreli's high-profile statements and actions in recent months "raises his profile to a degree that could be devastating to him if he ever has to face a judge at sentencing."
"Your profile is so high that the court has to make an example for the public," Lefcourt said. "By raising his profile, he potentially worsens his situation."
Lefcourt said that the way the judge who handles Shkreli's criminal case views his public conduct could affect the judge's decision on pretrial motions and arguments, which in turn can affect Shkreli's chances of beating the charges.