NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess) — On Wednesday, federal prosecutors recommended that William McFarland, promoter of the failed Fyre Festival, be sentenced to over 15 years in prison.
According to the Associated Press, prosecutors, in a written filing, said McFarland should face significant jail time as he was “far more interested in the fame and notoriety generated by the festival than he was in paying back investors and his employees.”
Originally billed as a luxurious destination festival on a private island in the Bahamas, the Fyre Festival was originally scheduled to take place over two weekends in 2017 with a lineup that included artists such as Bling-182 and Migos.
However, after guests arrived, they found chaos instead of luxury. The festival was canceled at the last minute, leaving many guests stranded with half-erected tents and cheese sandwiches instead of the promised sumptuous meals and accommodations.
After the festival unraveled, McFarland pleaded guilty to defrauding investors over the event. As well, he pleaded separately to seperate criminal charges of wire fraud in an unrelated ticket selling scheme that took place while he was facing charges over the Fyre Festival.
Prosecutors alleged that McFarland used money from investors to live a luxury lifestyle, including a Manhattan residence, as well as a private driver for his luxy automobiles.
McFarland’s attorneys argued for leniency in the case, saying that McFarland suffered from delusional beliefs that his talents will lead to “fame and fortune”, the AP reported.
