Martin Shkreli suspected of using a cell phone to run a prison society

NEW YORK (AP) – Federal authorities announced Friday that they were investigating allegations that Martin Shkreli was running his drug company behind bars with the help of a smuggling smartphone.

The US Bureau of Prisons told the Associated Press that it had opened an investigation to determine if the man dubbed the "Pharma Bro" had violated the prison rules prohibiting inmates from carrying out activities. and own a cell phone.

Shkreli, 35, is serving a seven-year prison sentence for securities fraud at the Federal Penitentiary Institution in Fort Dix, New Jersey, a low-security penitentiary complex located approximately 65 km from New York. Philadelphia. He was found guilty of lying to the investors of two hedge funds in bankruptcy and having cheated on millions.

The Wall Street Journal reported this week that Shkreli had used a mobile phone to call his drug company Phoenixus AG, regularly posting on social media and even dismissing his CEO a few weeks ago.

Shkreli's defense lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, declined to comment.

The Bureau of Prisons said that federal prisoners caught in possession of a cell phone would risk an extra year behind bars if they were found guilty. Shkreli could also face disciplinary penalties within the prison if it is proven that he has conducted business.

"Like all correctional agencies, the BDP continues to tackle the problem of smuggling contraband into our establishments, including contraband cell phones," the agency said in a statement. communicated to the AP. "The BOP continually assesses and deploys, where applicable, smuggling detection technologies, including open-access metal detectors and whole-body imaging devices."

Mr. Shkreli was charged with eight counts of securities fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud, for his role in managing MSMB Capital Management and MSMB Healthcare between 2009 and 2009. 2014.

The case was not related to the fury that he had caused in 2015 when he had raised the price of more than 5,000% of a drug used to treat an infection in some patients with AIDS, malaria and cancer.