By SNN Newsroom | October 14, 2026
The Federal Trade Commission and seven states asked a federal judge on October 13 to find Martin Shkreli in civil contempt, alleging that he violated a permanent injunction barring him from participating in the pharmaceutical industry.
In a newly filed motion, the government enforcers allege that Shkreli has held or traded stock in pharmaceutical businesses and broadcast commentary about their management and operations. The agencies say those activities violate restrictions in a federal court order issued in 2022.
That earlier injunction followed a civil antitrust trial involving Daraprim, a medicine used to treat toxoplasmosis. The court found unlawful anticompetitive conduct and barred Shkreli from the industry; an appellate court subsequently affirmed the judgment. The adjudicated 2022 case is separate from the current contempt allegations.
The October 13 motion is not a judicial finding of contempt. The FTC and states seek a show-cause order and sanctions requiring compliance, including divestment of pharmaceutical-company holdings and financial penalties. Whether the motion succeeds remains for the court to decide.
Readers can review the agencies’ statement, underlying case history and court filings in the official sources below.
Primary sources: Federal Trade Commission October 13 release; FTC case record and filings.
