'Pharma bro' Shkreli jailed over Clinton threat

Disgraced former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli had his bail revoked and was sent to jail on Wednesday for encouraging assault.

The move came after Shkreli recently wrote on Facebook that he would give $5,000 (around 4,200 euros) to anyone who plucked a hair from Hillary Clinton's head during her upcoming book tour.

Read more: Disgraced pharma CEO Martin Shkreli convicted of fraud

"This is not protected by the First Amendment," said Judge Kiyo Matsumoto as she revoked Shkreli's $5 million bail, citing the security concerns felt by the Secret Service agents who protect Clinton as a former first lady.

Shkreli had told the court earlier via a written statement that he was sorry for his post, which his defense had painted as political satire, and that he is "not a violent person."

 "It never occurred to me that my awkward attempt at humor or satire would cause Mrs. Clinton or the Secret Service any distress," he added.

'The Most Hated Man in America'

The entrepreneur, dubbed "Pharma Bro" by the media, will now stay in jail as he awaits sentencing after his August conviction on securities fraud for mismanaging two investment funds.

Read more: CEO Shkreli claims embezzlement allegations are 'baseless'

 Shkreli gained notoriety in September 2015 when his company Turing Pharmaceuticals bought the rights to the anti-parasitic drug Daraprim, used in treating a strain of pneumonia often contracted by people with weakened with immune systems, and hiked the price of $13.50 per pill to $700. He was known as "The Most Hated Man in America."

His sentencing for securities fraud is scheduled for January. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

es/cmk (AP, dpa)