The many smirks of Martin Shkreli

Martin Shkreli, the much-vilified former hedge fund manager and Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO, showed up on Capitol Hill for a congressional hearing in Washington, D.C., irking lawmakers in more ways than one, including with his many smirks, Feb. 4, 2016.

At one point, Maryland's Elijah Cummings, the panel's ranking Democrat, reacted by lecturing the businessman: "It's not funny, Mr. Shkreli. People are dying, and they are getting sicker and sicker."

In this photo, Shkreli is sworn in with others during a hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Capitol Hill. Shkreli, indicted on securities fraud charges, was subpoenaed to appear at the hearing to testify about the prescription drug market. He plead the Fifth, protecting himself against self-incrimination, and declined to answer questions.

Shkreli on Capitol Hill

Martin Shkreli arrives on Capitol Hill on Feb. 4, 2016, for a hearing of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. U.S. lawmakers wanted to hear about steep hikes for a drug sold by a company that he had founded in 2015.

Shkreli on Capitol Hill

Shkreli is sworn in to testify at a House Oversight and Government Reform hearing on "Developments in the Prescription Drug Market Oversight." U.S. lawmakers were interested in why the company, former CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals LLC, raised the price of a lifesaving medicine by 5,000 percent.

Shkreli on Capitol Hill

(L-R) Howard Schiller, interim CEO of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., Nancy Retzlaff, chief commercial officer for Turing Pharmaceuticals LLC, and Shkreli, former CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals LLC, wait for the start of the hearing.

Despite his Fifth Amendment plea, it didn't stop committee members from expressing outrage, with Maryland's Elijah Cummings lecturing Shkreli on the drug company's pricing moves, which included a decision to increase the price of a life-saving pill to $750 each from $13.50.

Shkreli on Capitol Hill

Other than answering "yes" to one lawmaker asking whether he had pronounced his name correctly, and then to another when asked if he were listening, Shkreli invoked his Fifth Amendment rights five times before being escorted out of the hearing less than an hour after it began.

Shkreli on Capitol Hill

While in the hearing room, Shkreli smiled broadly to the clear annoyance of lawmakers, who continued their criticism after he was dismissed from the proceedings.

Florida Republican John Mica suggested calling him into contempt.

Tennessee Republican John Duncan Jr. noted what he called Shkreli's "childish, smart-alecky smirks," saying the 32-year-old had even turned away and posed for pictures as a ranking panel member was speaking.

Shkreli on Capitol Hill

Shkreli, receiving counsel from his attorney, Benjamin Brafman, during the hearing.

Shkreli on Capitol Hill

Shkreli smiles while flanked by Nancy Retzlaff, chief commercial officer for Turing Pharmaceuticals LLC., during the hearing.

Shkreli's broad smiles in the hearing room clearly annoyed lawmakers, who continued their criticism after he was dismissed from the proceedings.

Shkreli on Capitol Hill

Shkreli's new lawyer, high-profile defense attorney Benjamin Brafman, tried to deflect criticism of how his client came across, saying that much of what was seen could be chalked up to "nervous energy" and that he had meant no disrespect.

Shkreli on Capitol Hill

Martin Shkreli smiles during the hearing.

Shkreli on Capitol Hill

Shkreli leaves after repeatedly invoking his Fifth Amendment rights during the hearing.