The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Crime & Justice›Fraud›Martin Shkreli
Crime & Justice • Fraud

Martin Shkreli

Martin Shkreli is an American former hedge fund manager and pharmaceutical executive known for co-founding MSMB Capital Management and founding Turing Pharmaceuticals.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Martin Shkreli is an American former hedge fund manager and pharmaceutical executive. He became widely notorious in 2015 after Turing Pharmaceuticals raised the price of the drug Daraprim. He was later convicted on federal securities fraud charges and sentenced to seven years in prison, being released in 2022.

Early life and education

Shkreli was born in Brooklyn, New York City, in 1983. He is the son of immigrant parents and became involved in finance at an early age.

Business career

Shkreli co-founded MSMB Capital Management and later founded Turing Pharmaceuticals. In 2015, Turing increased the price of Daraprim, leading to widespread criticism.

Criminal case

Federal prosecutors charged Shkreli with securities fraud and related offenses connected to earlier business activity. A jury convicted him in 2017, and he was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2018. Reports indicate he was released in June 2022.

Public reputation

Shkreli became an infamous public figure and was widely described as one of the most disliked business executives in the United States. His persona attracted attention beyond the court case, including through social media and pop-culture references.

Key facts

  • Shkreli rose to public prominence as a pharmaceutical executive and hedge fund manager.
  • He became the subject of widespread criticism after Turing Pharmaceuticals raised the price of Daraprim in 2015.
  • In August 2017, a jury found him guilty of securities fraud and related counts.
  • He was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2018.
  • Reports indicate he was released in June 2022.
🍁
Canadian context

Canadian readers may know Shkreli through international coverage of pharmaceutical pricing, drug access, and financial fraud cases. His case is often cited in Canadian discussions of medicine affordability and corporate ethics.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Martin Shkreli?
He is an American former hedge fund manager and pharmaceutical executive best known for the Daraprim price controversy and a later securities fraud conviction.
Why did Martin Shkreli become famous?
He drew intense criticism after Turing Pharmaceuticals raised the price of Daraprim in 2015.
What was Martin Shkreli convicted of?
A federal jury found him guilty of securities fraud and related counts in 2017.
How long was Martin Shkreli sentenced to prison?
He was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2018.
When was Martin Shkreli released?
Reports say he was released in June 2022.
Was he convicted for raising Daraprim’s price?
No. One source notes that his conviction was for securities fraud, not the Daraprim pricing decision.

References

  1. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34331761
    Supports: Public profile, 2017 securities fraud conviction, broad biographical context.
  2. German Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Shkreli
    Supports: Birth date, company roles, conviction, sentence, and release date.
  3. Business Insider — https://www.businessinsider.com/pharma-bro-who-is-he-martin-shkreli-convicted-2017-8
    Supports: Daraprim price increase, 2017 securities fraud conviction.
  4. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/dec/17/pharmaceutical-entrepreneur-martin-shkreli-drug-controversy-wu-tang
    Supports: Public controversy, Daraprim pricing, notoriety.
  5. LPE Project — https://lpeproject.org/blog/martin-shkreli-had-a-point/
    Supports: Distinction between Daraprim price increase and securities fraud conviction.