A lawyer says mental illness caused the fraudulent promoter of a failed music festival to rip off investors and commit other crimes.
Attorney Randall Jackson sent a letter to Manhattan Judge Naomi Buchwald asking for leniency at Billy McFarland’s October sentencing.
Jackson claimed that the fraudster suffered from an ‘unspecified bipolar related disorder,’ according to the New York Daily News.
‘He was experiencing symptoms of mania or hypomania…He was not sleeping and felt exhausted and overwhelmed. He had a diminished capacity to foresee the consequences of his actions,’ Randall said in his letter.
Attorney Randall Jackson sent a letter to Manhattan Judge Naomi Buchwald asking for leniency at Billy McFarland’s (pictured) October sentencing
McFarland, 27, pleaded guilty earlier this year to defrauding investors in the 2017 Fyre Festival in the Bahamas and cheating customers in a ticket scam
McFarland, 27, pleaded guilty earlier this year to defrauding investors in the 2017 Fyre Festival in the Bahamas and cheating customers in a ticket scam.
Without leniency, he faces up to 14 years behind bars.
Jackson cited a psychological report saying McFarland has Bipolar Related Disorder and may sometimes have ‘delusional beliefs of having special and unique talents that will lead to fame and fortune.’
Jackson asserted that his client was ‘overwhelmed’ with having to pay back the $26million he scammed out of investors, including rapper Ja Rule
Jackson also asserted that his client was ‘overwhelmed’ with having to pay back the $26million he scammed out of investors, including rapper Ja Rule.
McFarland earned tabloid headlines after fraudulently enlisting 80 investors to pour $26 million into a festival promoted as ‘the cultural experience of the decade.’
The festival was canceled and party-goers found that they had inadequate housing and food, all the while stranded at the Great Exuma island.
The festival was canceled and party-goers found that they had inadequate housing and food, all the while stranded at the Great Exuma island
Irate festival goers chill in the shade as they try to figure out what happened to the festival
‘His misrepresentation of his assets was analogous to his tendency to lie as a child to cover up his disorganization and activities,’ Jackson stated, citing another shrink.
His client seeks ‘a meaningful prison term’ followed by ‘a longer period of supervised release’ so he can pursue mental health treatment.’
Following his guilty plea for the Fyre fraud scheme, McFarland was charged for two more fraud crimes including a $100,000 scheme where he sold fake tickets to the Met Gala, Emmy Award and a Cleveland Cavaliers game that included a lunchwith Lebron James.
McFarland seeks ‘a meaningful prison term’ followed by ‘a longer period of supervised release’ so he can pursue mental health treatment’