Martin Shkreli has attempted to position himself as an evil genius over the years only to be locked up in prison for security fraud charges. Even though he’s currently locked up, he’s still found himself at the center of controversy following claims that he hasDrake‘s unreleased diss records towards Pusha T, running his company behind bars, and most recently, requesting to be released in order to help find a cure for coronavirus.

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Unfortunately for him, the judge wasn’t buying it. According to TMZ, Shkreli’s request to be released from prison was shot down by a judge who didn’t find any grounds as to why Shrekli should be granted a compassionate release. The Pharma Bro attempted to convince the judge that he had underlying conditions that made him vulnerable to contracting the virus, but apparently, the judge wasn’t convinced.

Shkreli’s concerns of contracting COVID-19 at FCI Allenwood Low in PA wasn’t valid since there were zero cases found in the correctional facilities. The medical concerns Shkreli’s legal team laid out for the court were deemed BS including claims that Shkreli has asthma. The court did acknowledge that he does take Claritin for seasonal allergies, though that’s the extent of his medical conditions.

Though Shkreli attempted to claim that he would help find the cure for COVID-19 if he were released, the court clearly didn’t forget when he hiked the price of Daraprim from $13 to $750 a pill. In response to his claim that he’d find a cure, TMZ reports that the court claimed:

“They wrote of his claim of finding a cure that has “so far eluded the best medical and scientific minds in the world working around the clock” is the type of “delusional self-aggrandizing behavior” that precipitated the offenses was convicted for, per legal docs.”

Looks like Shkreli’s stuck. 

With the coronavirus showing no signs of slowing down, the entire medical community has been mobilizing to best combat the spread and fallout. Seeing as the stakes have never been higher, it would appear that humanity needs all hands on deck for this particular fight. At least, that’s the line of reasoning that the infamous Martin Shkreli is banking on, claiming he’s of no use sitting in a cell when he might very well be able to help find a cure for COVID-19. 

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Currently in the midst of a seven-year bid on charges of fraud, the man once known as the Pharma-Bro, who briefly dabbled in the collection of rare and unreleased hip-hop artifacts, reportedly pleaded to be released from prison to help join the fight against coronavirus. Sharing a lengthy paper on his Prosperous Pharma webpage, Shkreli deemed himself to be “one of the few executives experienced in ALL aspects of drug development,” qualities he believes make him a valuable asset. 

“I am asking for a brief furlough (3 months) to assist in research work on COVID-19,” he writes in the paper. “Being released to the post-COVID world is no solace to even the incarcerated.” Shkreli’s claim appears to be fully endorsed by his defense attorney, who tells the NY Post that “left to his own devices, I believe Martin could cure cancer. Feel the same about coronavirus. Warehousing this genius instead of letting him help with the research, makes no sense whatsoever.”

One has to wonder if Martin Shkreli could indeed contribute to efforts in finding a coronavirus cure, and if so, how might that settle with the population at large. Should he indeed prove to be an asset, perhaps they oughta consider all options. What do you think — is it free Pharma Bro? 

The former Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO, Martin Shkreli, is currently being housed at the Federal Corrections Complex in Allenwood, PA on a seven-year sentence after being convicted of securities fraud tied to hedge funds he controlled prior to entering the pharmaceutical industry. Now, this past Monday (Jan. 27), the state of New York and federal authorities have officially opened up a lawsuit against Shkreli looking to ban him for life from the pharmaceutical industry as well as obtain financial relief and penalties from his former company. 

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Martin Shkreli, also known as the “Pharma Douche,” infamously rose to prominence when he gained possession of the manufacturing license for the antiparasitic medication, Daraprim, and marked up the price per pill from $13.50 to $750 resulting in accusations of shady business practices. For over six decades Daraprim was used to treat patients who suffered from an infection known as toxoplasmosis.

Shkreli’s Turing Pharmaceuticals, which has since then rebranded and goes by Phoenixus AG, is accused of attempting to monopolize the drug as there is no generic version of the medication available for sufferers in need. 

According to court documents obtained by TIME, the Federal Trade Commission and the NY attorney general’s office claim that Shkreli’s company purchased this particular patent with the sole purpose of boxing out their competition. 

According to Attorney General Letitia James, Phoenixus AG “held this critical drug hostage from patients and competitors as they illegally sought to maintain their monopoly.” James went on to continue stating, “We won’t allow ‘Pharma Bros’ to manipulate the market and line their pockets at the expense of vulnerable patients and the health care system.”

Fortunately, Martin Shkreli’s recent sentence appeal was denied, and he isn’t allowed to terrorize sick patrons in need or music fans. For some reason, Martin Shkreli continues to play these games even behind bars, but sooner or later the natural pendulum swing of his actions will eventually catch up to him.   

As of right now, the medication industry is attempting to obtain enough generic Daraprim components to properly test and provide for patients requiring the drug.