I nominate Martin Shkreli.
Earlier this year, the 32-year-old self-made entrepreneur made the most offensive and ill-advised appearance I have seen in my more than three decades of observing hearings and preparing executives for them.
Shkreli smirked. He sneered. He often presented a silly schoolboy grin. He insulted the panel. He smiled when a Congressman was speaking of people ill or dying because they could no longer afford his drug. He rudely turned his face away from questioners at critical times.
He sometimes toyed with a pencil. And, he repeatedly took the Fifth Amendment on even the most innocuous questions in spite of the fact that the hearing was unrelated to Federal charges pending against him related to another Shkreli company.
Where was his lawyer? Seated right behind him, whispering in his ear, and clearly giving less than sterling advice.
View the video below and then email me if you’ve ever seen a worse example of bad behavior before a Congressional committee.