Co-founder of the doomed Fyre Festival Billy McFarland has been arrested and charged with wire fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. One of the organizers behind the "luxury" fest that began and ended with disaster on its opening day in April, McFarland has been accused of making "false representations to investors," and was arrested Friday in New York. His charges stem from alleged fake documents the founder shared with investors that led to millions of dollars being put into the event.
Anyone who was on the internet the weeks following Fyre Festival's opening day should be aware of the chaos that erupted from the massively underequipped concert. Posts from ticketholders revealed pitiful food preparation and disaster relief tents in place of gourmet dishes and luxurious accommodations promised to guests.
The 25-year-old McFarland will appear a federal magistrate judge Saturday, the Associated Press reports. He faces up to 20 years in jail, according to ABC News.
Ja Rule, who was involved in the organization of the event, is not facing charges at this time. However, he has been hit, alongside McFarland, with a reported $100 million lawsuit for his role in the failed getaway.