Fyre Festival Founders Billy McFarland Wants Early Prison Release Amid Coronavirus

Billy McFarland, the man who became a household name after he went to prison to defrauding people out of millions of dollars for his mega scam, Fyre Festival, is asking a judge to free him from prison early over the coronavirus outbreak.

His attorneys argued that argue that McFarland has several pre-existing health conditions, including asthma, allergies and heart issues. They said that the fraudster would prove to be severe health risks if he contracted COVID-19 in prison. 

They also made reference to rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine’s release to show precedent. The rapper was released early from prison after his lawyers argued that his “severe asthma” put him at risk.

McFarland is currently serving his sentence at the Federal Correction Institution in Elkton, Maryland, for wire fraud. Thirty-six inmates and 26 staff members have tested positive for the virus, and six people have died.

He was ordered to pay $26 million in restitution to his victims.