US Government Sells Martin Shkreli’s One-Of-One Wu-Tang Album

The US government sold “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli’s one-of-one Wu-Tang Clan album on Tuesday for an undisclosed amount. 

Shkreli paid $2 million for the Once Upon a Time in Shaolin album back in 2015. The album came packaged in a hand-carved silver and nickel case. It also included a leather-bound book.

Although Tuesday’s sale price was not disclosed, it does satisfy his balance on his $7.4 million forfeiture judgment. Because the contract of the sale contained a confidentiality clause, the buyer’s identity will not be revealed. 

“With today’s sale of this one-of-a-kind album, his payment of the forfeiture is now complete,” said Acting US Attorney Jacquelyn M Kasulis in Brooklyn in a news release.

Shkreli, the founder of hedge funds MSMB Capital Management LP and MSMB Healthcare Management LP, was convicted of lying to investors and bilking them out of millions in 2017. During his 2018 sentencing, he was sentenced to seven years in prison, three years of post-release supervision, and to pay various fines and judgments. The judge also ordered him to forfeit the album along with other assets.

In 2019, his conviction was upheld by an appeals court. Shkreli is scheduled to be released from prison in October 2022.