Martin Shkreli, the controversial pharmaceutical boss who was dubbed “the most hated man in America”, has announced he will be auctioning off the opportunity to punch him in the face in the name of charity.

The 33-year-old gained notoriety after he raised the price of a HIV-related drug by 5,000 per cent while working as the CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals back in September 2015. He resigned from Turing Pharmaceuticals in December 2015, just a day after being arrested on charges of securities fraud related to a different company he previously ran. Shkreli denies the charges.

The entrepeneur has been dubbed a “pharma bro” and “the poster boy of greed”.

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Shkreli has now decided to auction off the chance to punch or slap him in the face in order to raise money for the family of Mike Kulich, his former PR consultant who died on Saturday morning at the age of just 29. Kulich left behind a young son who recently received treatment for leukaemia.

“I will auction one slap/punch in the face to benefit my friend Mike who passed away & leaves behind a young son who survived cancer. DM bids,” Shkreli tweeted.

He said she would match the donation to a “certain point” and partakers were permitted to video the occasion. “Mike architected my publicity stunts & I bet he is watching, smiling,” he added.

Shkreli was arrested in December on allegations of securities fraud. He appeared in court earlier this year on the charges and a federal judge set his trial date for 26 June 2017. He has pleaded not guilty throughout the case.