The story Fyre Festival founder Billy McFarland is a protracted one, after defrauding attendees the influencer gathering again in April 2017. Over the previous 18 months, McFarland has been in courtroom a quantity instances, and has not too long ago begun receiving verdicts and orders. For occasion, in July, he was to pay again $27.four million to his scammed victims. Two days later, he to different scams involving Coachella, the Grammys, and extra.
Now, McFarland has been sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Naomi Buchwald to 6 years in jail on a number of accounts fraud. McFarland reportedly stated “I’m sorry” a number of instances throughout his sentencing listening to as his protection begged for leniency as a component his not too long ago identified bipolar dysfunction. But Judge Buchwald was stalwart.
“It is my conclusion primarily based on all of the submissions that the defendant is a serial fraudster and that to this point his fraud like a circle has no ending,” she stated.
“Bipolar doesn't excuse habits,” she stated, earlier than accusing him “white collar obstruction” within the investigation into his crimes. “This was not a good suggestion gone dangerous, the dangerous intent was lengthy withstanding,” she stated.
Other victims got the chance to talk through the sentencing listening to, together with Joe Nemeth, an investor in McFarland’s schemes, which included Fyre Festival, a luxurious advantages membership Magnises, and a ticket scheme NYC VIP Access, a scheme that he’d developed whereas out on bail from his first arrest.
“It took me 20 years saving my lunch cash to save lots of $180,000,” he stated, now lamenting he and his spouse’s incapacity to retire. “I hope the justice system has the final chuckle at Mr. McFarland.”