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Bill USA
Bill USA's Journal
Bill USA's Journal
February 25, 2017
The Interior Department informed coal, oil and gas companies this week they do not need to comply with a new federal accounting system that would have compelled them to pay millions of dollars in additional royalties.
The Office of Natural Resources Revenue’s new method of calculating royalties for minerals extracted on federal land — which was finalized last July and took effect Jan. 1 — was aimed at preventing firms from underpaying what they owe by selling coal to subsidiaries at an artificially low price. But energy firms, some of whom challenged the new rule in court, called the requirements confusing, complicated and onerous and pressed for a delay.
“This rule would have had immediate detrimental effects to American energy producers and the hard-working Montanans and workers across the country they support,” said Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), who asked the administration last month to stay the rule.
Colin Marshal, president and chief executive of Cloud Peak Energy, called the change in accounting rules “among the most egregious” of the “punitive regulations” on coal the Obama administration had adopted, and welcomed its suspension.
Companies were set to file their first reports under the new rule Tuesday.
(more)
Coal, oil @ gas co's to pay less in royalties aftr Inter decision: this is what M$M calls "Populism"
.. M$M ever mindful of their charge to help sell GOP programs and create duplicitous cover-stories for the GOP is endlessly repeating the Big Lie that DT's campaign/administration as "Populist" to try to hide that fact that it is actually xenophobic, jingioistic,
plutocracy, which couldn't give a shit less about "average" people who work for a living.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/coal-oil-and-gas-companies-to-pay-less-in-royalties-after-interior-decision/2017/02/24/a3164016-fad5-11e6-bf01-d47f8cf9b643_story.html?utm_term=.bb338311efac
The Interior Department informed coal, oil and gas companies this week they do not need to comply with a new federal accounting system that would have compelled them to pay millions of dollars in additional royalties.
The Office of Natural Resources Revenue’s new method of calculating royalties for minerals extracted on federal land — which was finalized last July and took effect Jan. 1 — was aimed at preventing firms from underpaying what they owe by selling coal to subsidiaries at an artificially low price. But energy firms, some of whom challenged the new rule in court, called the requirements confusing, complicated and onerous and pressed for a delay.
“This rule would have had immediate detrimental effects to American energy producers and the hard-working Montanans and workers across the country they support,” said Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), who asked the administration last month to stay the rule.
Colin Marshal, president and chief executive of Cloud Peak Energy, called the change in accounting rules “among the most egregious” of the “punitive regulations” on coal the Obama administration had adopted, and welcomed its suspension.
Companies were set to file their first reports under the new rule Tuesday.
(more)
February 25, 2017
On Thursday night, CNN reported that the FBI “rejected a recent White House request to publicly knock down media reports about communications between Donald Trump’s associates and Russians known to US intelligence during the 2016 presidential campaign.”
The report, which cites “multiple US officials briefed on the matter,” says White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus contacted top FBI officials and asked them “to at least talk to reporters on background to dispute the stories.” According to CNN, FBI Director James Comey denied Priebus’ request because “the alleged communications between Trump associates and Russians known to US intelligence are the subject of an ongoing investigation.”
The report is a bombshell. It suggests that the White House interfered with an ongoing investigation into Russian meddling in the presidential election. As Larry Tribe, a law professor at Harvard University, told ThinkProgress, “t could well be attempted obstruction of justice, and it’s certainly so unethical that it would be a firing offense for a chief of staff in any White House that respects the rule of law.”
Federal law prohibits any communication that “endeavors to influence, obstruct, or impede, the due administration of justice.”
(more)
Even if the White House is telling the truth about FBI talks, Priebus violated the rules
[font size="3"]The administration’s version of events doesn’t deny improprieties.[/font]
https://thinkprogress.org/white-house-version-of-fbi-priebus-contact-is-not-exculpatory-31e381aca4eb#.nckfuvnm9
On Thursday night, CNN reported that the FBI “rejected a recent White House request to publicly knock down media reports about communications between Donald Trump’s associates and Russians known to US intelligence during the 2016 presidential campaign.”
The report, which cites “multiple US officials briefed on the matter,” says White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus contacted top FBI officials and asked them “to at least talk to reporters on background to dispute the stories.” According to CNN, FBI Director James Comey denied Priebus’ request because “the alleged communications between Trump associates and Russians known to US intelligence are the subject of an ongoing investigation.”
The report is a bombshell. It suggests that the White House interfered with an ongoing investigation into Russian meddling in the presidential election. As Larry Tribe, a law professor at Harvard University, told ThinkProgress, “t could well be attempted obstruction of justice, and it’s certainly so unethical that it would be a firing offense for a chief of staff in any White House that respects the rule of law.”
Federal law prohibits any communication that “endeavors to influence, obstruct, or impede, the due administration of justice.”
(more)
February 25, 2017
A senior Republican lawmaker on Friday agreed that a special prosecutor should investigate Russia's alleged interference with the 2016 presidential election.
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) became one of the few Republican representatives to state publicly the need for an independent investigation into Russia's reported election meddling. This comes as Democrats have increasingly pushed for an investigation into President Trump's associates' ties to Russia.
~~
~~
On Friday, however, Issa seemed to agree with Maher that Sessions should not be involved in an investigation.
“You're right, you cannot have somebody, a friend of mine, Jeff Sessions, who was on the campaign and who was an appointee,” he said. “You're going to need to use the special prosecutor's statute and office.”
(more)
Republican lawmaker says special prosecutor should investigate Russian meddling in Trumps election
... you'll NEVER guess who.....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/02/25/top-republican-says-special-prosecutor-should-investigate-russian-meddling-in-trumps-election/?utm_term=.0d8489a45f46
A senior Republican lawmaker on Friday agreed that a special prosecutor should investigate Russia's alleged interference with the 2016 presidential election.
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) became one of the few Republican representatives to state publicly the need for an independent investigation into Russia's reported election meddling. This comes as Democrats have increasingly pushed for an investigation into President Trump's associates' ties to Russia.
~~
~~
On Friday, however, Issa seemed to agree with Maher that Sessions should not be involved in an investigation.
“You're right, you cannot have somebody, a friend of mine, Jeff Sessions, who was on the campaign and who was an appointee,” he said. “You're going to need to use the special prosecutor's statute and office.”
(more)
February 24, 2017
As members of Congress take a break from the hard work of legislating to go home to their districts, many Republicans are facing a tough reception at town hall meetings. Liberals, echoing tactics used by Tea Party activists in the summer of 2009, are flooding these forums with unusually large and hostile crowds demanding answers about what the GOP plans to do for the millions of Americans who depend on the Affordable Care Act for health care.
Town hall mobilizations have been underway since Donald Trump’s inauguration, and they’ve already led many Republican members to decide they want to avoid holding any public events. President Trump, meanwhile, wants people to know that he finds the whole thing sad.
[blockquote style="border:1px solid #000000;padding:10px;"] The so-called angry crowds in home districts of some Republicans are actually, in numerous cases, planned out by liberal activists. Sad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 21, 2017
Trump is, fundamentally, correct that these crowds have been instigated and organized by liberal activists — just as the Tea Party crowds were organized by conservative ones.
But crying astroturf at the Tea Party didn’t stop the GOP from sweeping to a wave of victories in the 2010 midterms. And by the same token, the demonstrations against repealing the Affordable Care Act are clearly having an impact on Republicans’ thinking — slowing down the process and raising real doubts about whether repeal will happen.
(more)
The massive wave of town hall protests ruining the GOPs week, explained (they're not paid)
http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/2/23/14696472/town-hall-protestsAs members of Congress take a break from the hard work of legislating to go home to their districts, many Republicans are facing a tough reception at town hall meetings. Liberals, echoing tactics used by Tea Party activists in the summer of 2009, are flooding these forums with unusually large and hostile crowds demanding answers about what the GOP plans to do for the millions of Americans who depend on the Affordable Care Act for health care.
Town hall mobilizations have been underway since Donald Trump’s inauguration, and they’ve already led many Republican members to decide they want to avoid holding any public events. President Trump, meanwhile, wants people to know that he finds the whole thing sad.
[blockquote style="border:1px solid #000000;padding:10px;"] The so-called angry crowds in home districts of some Republicans are actually, in numerous cases, planned out by liberal activists. Sad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 21, 2017
Trump is, fundamentally, correct that these crowds have been instigated and organized by liberal activists — just as the Tea Party crowds were organized by conservative ones.
But crying astroturf at the Tea Party didn’t stop the GOP from sweeping to a wave of victories in the 2010 midterms. And by the same token, the demonstrations against repealing the Affordable Care Act are clearly having an impact on Republicans’ thinking — slowing down the process and raising real doubts about whether repeal will happen.
(more)
February 24, 2017
Almost 20 years ago, the U.S. Energy Information Administration had an idea: Make an educational website for children about energy sources and the science behind them.
In short order, the EIA created “Energy Kids,” which now features energy-themed sudoku and crossword puzzles, colorful pie charts and a know-it-all mascot called Energy Ant. Images of a school bus parked between a coal plant and an oil rig adorn the bottom of the web page, along with drawings of wind turbines, solar panels and an energy-efficient lightbulb.
During the Obama administration, Energy Kids even won multiple international awards for its content and design, as well as one from a digital publishing company that hailed it as “the best of the best in open and engaging government.”
In recent weeks, language on the website describing the environmental impacts of energy sources has been reworked, and two pie charts concerning the link between coal and greenhouse gas emissions have been removed altogether.
(more)
Concern Sparked by Recent Changes to a Department of Energy Website for Kids
https://www.propublica.org/article/childs-play-team-trump-rewrites-a-department-of-energy-website-for-kidsAlmost 20 years ago, the U.S. Energy Information Administration had an idea: Make an educational website for children about energy sources and the science behind them.
In short order, the EIA created “Energy Kids,” which now features energy-themed sudoku and crossword puzzles, colorful pie charts and a know-it-all mascot called Energy Ant. Images of a school bus parked between a coal plant and an oil rig adorn the bottom of the web page, along with drawings of wind turbines, solar panels and an energy-efficient lightbulb.
During the Obama administration, Energy Kids even won multiple international awards for its content and design, as well as one from a digital publishing company that hailed it as “the best of the best in open and engaging government.”
In recent weeks, language on the website describing the environmental impacts of energy sources has been reworked, and two pie charts concerning the link between coal and greenhouse gas emissions have been removed altogether.
(more)
February 24, 2017
Over the last three years, pharmaceutical companies have mounted a public relations blitz to tout new cures for the hepatitis C virus and persuade insurers, including government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, to cover the costs. That isn’t an easy sell, because the price of the treatments ranges from $40,000 to $94,000 — or, because the treatments take three months, as much as $1,000 per day.
To persuade payers and the public, the industry has deployed a potent new ally, a company whose marquee figures are leading economists and health care experts at the nation’s top universities. The company, Precision Health Economics, consults for three leading makers of new hepatitis C treatments: Gilead, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and AbbVie. When AbbVie funded a special issue of the American Journal of Managed Care on hepatitis C research, current or former associates of Precision Health Economics wrote half of the issue. A Stanford professor who had previously consulted for the firm served as guest editor-in-chief.
At a congressional briefing last May on hepatitis C, three of the four panelists were current or former Precision Health Economics consultants. One was the firm’s co-founder, Darius Lakdawalla, a University of Southern California professor.
“The returns to society actually exist even at the high prices,” Lakdawalla assured the audience of congressional staffers and health policymakers. “Some people who are just looking at the problem as a pure cost-effectiveness problem said some of these prices in some ways are too low.”
(more)
Big Pharma Quietly Enlists Leading Professors to Justify $1,000-Per-Day Drugs
[font size="3"]As it readies for battle with President Trump over drug prices, the pharmaceutical industry is deploying economists and health care experts from the nation’s top universities. In scholarly articles, blogs and conferences, they lend their prestige to the lobbying blitz, without always disclosing their corporate ties.[/font]
https://www.propublica.org/article/big-pharma-quietly-enlists-leading-professors-to-justify-1000-per-day-drugs?utm_source=pardot&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailynewsletter
Over the last three years, pharmaceutical companies have mounted a public relations blitz to tout new cures for the hepatitis C virus and persuade insurers, including government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, to cover the costs. That isn’t an easy sell, because the price of the treatments ranges from $40,000 to $94,000 — or, because the treatments take three months, as much as $1,000 per day.
To persuade payers and the public, the industry has deployed a potent new ally, a company whose marquee figures are leading economists and health care experts at the nation’s top universities. The company, Precision Health Economics, consults for three leading makers of new hepatitis C treatments: Gilead, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and AbbVie. When AbbVie funded a special issue of the American Journal of Managed Care on hepatitis C research, current or former associates of Precision Health Economics wrote half of the issue. A Stanford professor who had previously consulted for the firm served as guest editor-in-chief.
At a congressional briefing last May on hepatitis C, three of the four panelists were current or former Precision Health Economics consultants. One was the firm’s co-founder, Darius Lakdawalla, a University of Southern California professor.
“The returns to society actually exist even at the high prices,” Lakdawalla assured the audience of congressional staffers and health policymakers. “Some people who are just looking at the problem as a pure cost-effectiveness problem said some of these prices in some ways are too low.”
(more)
February 23, 2017
[div class="excerpt" style="float:right;"]
?1487074415
History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme.” ― Mark Twain.
In December of 1972 former President Richard Nixon, declared the press, an “enemy” www.theguardian.com/... The parallels between the paranoia of Richard M. Nixon and the narcissism of Donald J. Trump are staggering and frightening. It also appears, much like Nixon, the press will eventually be the catalyst for the downfall of the Trump administration. The Washington Post, much like in the Nixon years, is again at the forefront with daily breaking news stories, followed closely by, the Trump labeled, “failing New York Times.”
Mr. Trump has saved Saturday Night Live and been the reagent for the recent resurgence of the Times. Being the media savvy personality that he is, he has even tried using the ‘controversy tactic’ to save the truly failing Celebrity Apprentice money.cnn.com/.... Steve Bannon, top aide to Trump, has manipulated his way onto the National Security Council by equaling his bigotry with his own paranoia. Bannon has attacked any group that challenges his jaundiced view of the world www.cbsnews.com/.... The recent ravings of Bannon, in an attempt to destroy the fourth estate, was to get the President to join him in his assertion that the press is the “opposition” nymag.com/... . The only problem with his theory is that it ignores the weekly protest that have attracted millions of people in disapproval.
Strawmen serve a purpose…
Donald Trump needs a hero as a counterpoint to his villain. Even his participation in the family owned business [WWE] of his new Small Business Administration head, Linda McMahon, is a play for attention. He participated in a loser gets his head shaved wrestling match billed as the “Battle of the Billionaires” in April of 2007 at WrestleMania
(more)
Tricky Dick and the Don Con
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/2/15/1634054/-Tricky-Dick-and-the-Don-Con[div class="excerpt" style="float:right;"]
?1487074415History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme.” ― Mark Twain.
In December of 1972 former President Richard Nixon, declared the press, an “enemy” www.theguardian.com/... The parallels between the paranoia of Richard M. Nixon and the narcissism of Donald J. Trump are staggering and frightening. It also appears, much like Nixon, the press will eventually be the catalyst for the downfall of the Trump administration. The Washington Post, much like in the Nixon years, is again at the forefront with daily breaking news stories, followed closely by, the Trump labeled, “failing New York Times.”
Mr. Trump has saved Saturday Night Live and been the reagent for the recent resurgence of the Times. Being the media savvy personality that he is, he has even tried using the ‘controversy tactic’ to save the truly failing Celebrity Apprentice money.cnn.com/.... Steve Bannon, top aide to Trump, has manipulated his way onto the National Security Council by equaling his bigotry with his own paranoia. Bannon has attacked any group that challenges his jaundiced view of the world www.cbsnews.com/.... The recent ravings of Bannon, in an attempt to destroy the fourth estate, was to get the President to join him in his assertion that the press is the “opposition” nymag.com/... . The only problem with his theory is that it ignores the weekly protest that have attracted millions of people in disapproval.
Strawmen serve a purpose…
Donald Trump needs a hero as a counterpoint to his villain. Even his participation in the family owned business [WWE] of his new Small Business Administration head, Linda McMahon, is a play for attention. He participated in a loser gets his head shaved wrestling match billed as the “Battle of the Billionaires” in April of 2007 at WrestleMania
(more)
February 23, 2017
Politico has a story explaining how Donald Trump's staffers are locked in a constant, daily battle to keep the barely coherent man-child from launching one of his famous incoherent tantrums. It's pathetic. It's deeply embarrassing. It's the story of a team constantly attempting to feed praise of Donald Trump to friendly outlets so that they could turn around and show it back to their boss, a constant scramble to feed his unending need for public praise. Because if they didn't do it he'd get sullen and cranky and lash out like a petulant little child.
So whenever there were negative stories about Trump, which has been All The Damn Time, they'd go to outlets like "Breitbart, Washington Examiner, Fox News, Infowars and the Daily Caller" with alternative story ideas for how freakin' swell Donald Trump was, and then once they got one of those friendly (Infowars!) outlets to take the bait, the staff would tweet those stories out, then print out, for Trump, that friendly coverage to make the idiot manchild feel like he was getting sufficient praise for his little pronouncements and wars and fits. That, and only that, would calm him.
The whole thing reads like Trump's staff treats him like a dangerous zoo animal let loose in the White House. Gotta keep him happy. Gotta rub his belly when he says to. Don’t let anyone rattle the bars of his little cage or we’re all dead. And never, never leave him alone:
(more)
To keep Donald happy, Trump's staff has to ensure he's always receiving praise and adulation
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/2/22/1636626/-To-keep-Donald-happy-Trump-s-staff-has-to-ensure-he-s-always-receiving-praise-and-adulationPolitico has a story explaining how Donald Trump's staffers are locked in a constant, daily battle to keep the barely coherent man-child from launching one of his famous incoherent tantrums. It's pathetic. It's deeply embarrassing. It's the story of a team constantly attempting to feed praise of Donald Trump to friendly outlets so that they could turn around and show it back to their boss, a constant scramble to feed his unending need for public praise. Because if they didn't do it he'd get sullen and cranky and lash out like a petulant little child.
The key to keeping Trump’s Twitter habit under control, according to six former campaign officials, is to ensure that his personal media consumption includes a steady stream of praise. And when no such praise was to be found, staff would turn to friendly outlets to drum some up — and make sure it made its way to Trump’s desk.
So whenever there were negative stories about Trump, which has been All The Damn Time, they'd go to outlets like "Breitbart, Washington Examiner, Fox News, Infowars and the Daily Caller" with alternative story ideas for how freakin' swell Donald Trump was, and then once they got one of those friendly (Infowars!) outlets to take the bait, the staff would tweet those stories out, then print out, for Trump, that friendly coverage to make the idiot manchild feel like he was getting sufficient praise for his little pronouncements and wars and fits. That, and only that, would calm him.
The whole thing reads like Trump's staff treats him like a dangerous zoo animal let loose in the White House. Gotta keep him happy. Gotta rub his belly when he says to. Don’t let anyone rattle the bars of his little cage or we’re all dead. And never, never leave him alone:
The in-person touch is also important to keeping Trump from running too hot. One Trump associate said it’s important to show Trump deference and offer him praise and respect, as that will lead him to more often listen. And If Trump becomes obsessed with a grudge, aides need to try and change the subject, friends say. Leaving him alone for several hours can prove damaging, because he consumes too much television and gripes to people outside the White House.
Part of the current problem is Trump is still adjusting to his new circumstances and has plenty of time to stew over negative reviews as he spends time alone in the evenings and early mornings as his wife, Melania Trump, continues living in New York as his youngest son, Barron, finishes the school year.
(more)
February 23, 2017
A few weeks back, I wrote a piece about Donald Trump titled “How to stop an autocracy.” The essay began with the premise that Trump has a will to power and a contempt for the basic norms and institutions of American democracy, and then explored how to limit the damage. The answer, basically, was that Congress needs to do its damn job.
But after I wrote it, smart people argued the piece was built atop a mistake. Trump might have the will to power, but he doesn’t have the discipline for it. Grim scenarios suggesting his presidency would grow too strong missed the likelier scenario that it would be extremely weak.
Yuval Levin, editor of the journal National Affairs and a leading conservative intellectual, made the case to me over email:
Levin’s argument is convincing. Trump’s White House is the picture of dysfunction. He isn’t focused or effective in his application of executive power. His staff is riven with infighting, inexperienced with the mechanics of government, and unable to corral their boss’s worst impulses. Trump’s slipshod executive orders are being easily batted back by courts, and his agenda hasn’t even made it to Congress yet. How is he going to go from here to strongman?
I felt better. And then I talked to Ron Klain.
(more)
Donald Trump is dangerous when he's losing - Trumps failures at governing feed his illiberalism
http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/2/22/14658062/donald-trump-illiberalism-losingA few weeks back, I wrote a piece about Donald Trump titled “How to stop an autocracy.” The essay began with the premise that Trump has a will to power and a contempt for the basic norms and institutions of American democracy, and then explored how to limit the damage. The answer, basically, was that Congress needs to do its damn job.
But after I wrote it, smart people argued the piece was built atop a mistake. Trump might have the will to power, but he doesn’t have the discipline for it. Grim scenarios suggesting his presidency would grow too strong missed the likelier scenario that it would be extremely weak.
Yuval Levin, editor of the journal National Affairs and a leading conservative intellectual, made the case to me over email:
I think the more plausible cause for worry is that he will be a dysfunctional president. He seems to have come in without a clear sense of the nature and character of the presidency in our system, and he's not playing that role but rather using the presidency as a platform for playing the role he has always played. And for now the White House team seems to be reinforcing that rather than counteracting it. The result of that seems more likely to be dysfunction than autocracy.
Levin’s argument is convincing. Trump’s White House is the picture of dysfunction. He isn’t focused or effective in his application of executive power. His staff is riven with infighting, inexperienced with the mechanics of government, and unable to corral their boss’s worst impulses. Trump’s slipshod executive orders are being easily batted back by courts, and his agenda hasn’t even made it to Congress yet. How is he going to go from here to strongman?
I felt better. And then I talked to Ron Klain.
(more)
February 23, 2017
Thursday, 26 Jan 2017
[font size="1"]Martin Shkreli, former chief executive officer for Turing Pharmaceuticals AG, left, arrives at Federal Court with his attorney Benjamin Brafman in Brooklyn, New York, U.S, on Thursday, July 14, 2016.[/font]
Pharma bro Martin Shkreli and his now ex-lawyer definitely want to be tried separately on criminal charges.
Lawyers for Shkreli and his co-defendant Evan Greebel confirmed Thursday that the duo want separate juries to decide their fate on fraud and conspiracy charges in Brooklyn federal court.
If Judge Kiyo Matsumoto agrees, Shkreli would be tried first starting June 26. Greebel's trial will take place in October.
If Matsumoto denies the severance motions, the joint trial will begin June 26. Severance motions by both men are due Feb. 17.
(more)
Accused fraudster Martin Shkreli's former lawyer, current co-defendant Evan Greebel blasts him as serial liar in bid for separate trials - Tuesday, 21 Feb 2017
[font size="1"]Martin Shkreli, chief executive officer of Turing Pharmaceuticals LLC, center, and attorney Evan Greebel, left, exit federal court in New York, on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015.[/font]
Accused securities scammer Martin Shkreli's co-defendant said Shkreli is a serial liar who "is guilty of committing fraud" — and is creating a media "circus" to distract jurors from the evidence against him.
In scathing new court filings seeking to be tried separately from Shkreli, the former corporate lawyer for Shkreli's company claims the pharma bro's chronic lies included misleading his own business lawyers — and also said he used them as unwitting "pawns" in his "fraudulent schemes."
In addition, Shkreli, 33, has a long-term pattern and practice of blaming others for his own misconduct, according to criminal defense lawyers for his co-defendant, Evan Greebel.
Those lawyers go on to say that the "bizarre, one-of-a-kind spectacle" that Shkreli has created since his arrest — which includes trolling Hillary Clinton, journalists, women, celebrities and government officials — is an intentional effort to "become more polarizing" among the public and potential jurors for his trial so that he will win acquittal.
(more)
Pharma bro, scumbag, Martin Shkreli in court as securities fraud case moves closer to trial
http://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/26/martin-shkreli-in-court-as-securities-fraud-case-moves-closer-to-trial.htmlThursday, 26 Jan 2017
[font size="1"]Martin Shkreli, former chief executive officer for Turing Pharmaceuticals AG, left, arrives at Federal Court with his attorney Benjamin Brafman in Brooklyn, New York, U.S, on Thursday, July 14, 2016.[/font]
Pharma bro Martin Shkreli and his now ex-lawyer definitely want to be tried separately on criminal charges.
Lawyers for Shkreli and his co-defendant Evan Greebel confirmed Thursday that the duo want separate juries to decide their fate on fraud and conspiracy charges in Brooklyn federal court.
If Judge Kiyo Matsumoto agrees, Shkreli would be tried first starting June 26. Greebel's trial will take place in October.
If Matsumoto denies the severance motions, the joint trial will begin June 26. Severance motions by both men are due Feb. 17.
(more)
Accused fraudster Martin Shkreli's former lawyer, current co-defendant Evan Greebel blasts him as serial liar in bid for separate trials - Tuesday, 21 Feb 2017
[font size="1"]Martin Shkreli, chief executive officer of Turing Pharmaceuticals LLC, center, and attorney Evan Greebel, left, exit federal court in New York, on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015.[/font]
Accused securities scammer Martin Shkreli's co-defendant said Shkreli is a serial liar who "is guilty of committing fraud" — and is creating a media "circus" to distract jurors from the evidence against him.
In scathing new court filings seeking to be tried separately from Shkreli, the former corporate lawyer for Shkreli's company claims the pharma bro's chronic lies included misleading his own business lawyers — and also said he used them as unwitting "pawns" in his "fraudulent schemes."
In addition, Shkreli, 33, has a long-term pattern and practice of blaming others for his own misconduct, according to criminal defense lawyers for his co-defendant, Evan Greebel.
Those lawyers go on to say that the "bizarre, one-of-a-kind spectacle" that Shkreli has created since his arrest — which includes trolling Hillary Clinton, journalists, women, celebrities and government officials — is an intentional effort to "become more polarizing" among the public and potential jurors for his trial so that he will win acquittal.
(more)
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