It’s been a few years since the nightmare that was Fyre Festival, and since the fallout, founder Billy McFarland has been quietly seeing out his six-year sentence in jail – until recently, when we found ourselves in a global pandemic.
Speaking of crazy controversies, hear about Tiger King below:
According to TMZ, McFarland’s lawyers sent a letter to his judge requesting he be granted “compassionate release” from jail because of COVID-19 health risks, pre-existing health conditions, and his history as a “non-violent offender.”
Apparently, 36 inmates and 26 staff members have tested positive for coronavirus at Elkton federal prison where McFarland is incarcerated. Congressman Bill Johnson has even called it a “breeding ground for the virus.”
It’s no surprise McFarland’s legal team is trying for an early release. Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine was recently released from prison to home confinement due to the “heightened medical risk presented…by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Tekashi and McFarland aren’t the only felons who have tried to get out of jail amidst the global pandemic. Singer R.Kelly was recently denied a get out of jail free card on the grounds he had demonstrated “no compelling reasons warranted his release.”
The same goes for rapper YNW Melly, who will remain in the Broward County Jail in Florida despite allegedly testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this month.
There’s been no word on McFarland’s plea for release, but does he legal team think we’ve forgotten about Fyre Festival already?
ICYMI, Billy McFarland and rapper Ja Rule founded Fyre Festival, which was supposed to be a “luxury music festival” located in The Bahamas. It was heavily promoted by social media influencers and promised high-paying punters fancy villas, gourmet food, VIP experiences and musical acts like Blink-182, Migos, Tyga and more.
The whole thing ended up being a huge disaster when festivalgoers arrived and were met with disaster relief tents, soaking wet mattresses, no lighting or cell phone reception, portable toilets, no running water, and dodgy looking sandwiches for dinner. Oh, and zero music acts.
Fyre resulted in millions of dollars worth of damages and landed founder McFarland in jail for six years. To be honest, I’m still recovering from that sh*t show and I wouldn’t be surprised if the judge is singing a similar tune when it comes to McFarland’s release.
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