Fyre Festival promoter Billy McFarland was arrested again on Tuesday in New York City and charged with selling fake tickets to events like the Met Gala and Coachella, which reportedly earned him $100,000.
Prosecutors say McFarland has been running the scam—via NYC VIP Access, a company he controlled—since 2017, and that it again involved targeting Fyre Festival attendees. In April 2017, Fyre Festival attendees showed up in the Bahamas expecting a luxury event with catered meals and famous people, but found complete disorganization, including lack of proper shelter and medical attention.
The festival, co-organized by Ja Rule, was reportedly investigated by the FBI in May 2017. McFarland was arrested in June 2017 and in July he was charged with wire fraud.
McFarland has again been charged with one count of wire fraud, as well as one count of money laundering. A judge asked that he be detained, because prosecutors allegedly have evidence that he also committed identity theft and bank fraud. A sentencing hearing for McFarland’s Fyre Festival charges takes place June 21.
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- Fyre Festival organizer Billy McFarland charged with wire fraud
H/T Page Six
