Billy McFarland is finally apologizing for the disastrous Fyre Festival that led to his incarceration.
“I am incredibly sorry for my collective actions and will right the wrongs I have delivered to my family, friends, partners, associates and, you, the general public,” McFarland told PEOPLE in an interview from prison after he was sentenced to six years behind bars.
He continued, “I’ve always sought — and dreamed — to accomplish incredible things by pushing the envelope to deliver for a common good, but I made many wrong and immature decisions along the way and I caused agony. As a result, I’ve lived every day in prison with pain, and I will continue to do so until I am able to make up for some of this harm through work and actions that society finds respectable.”
McFarland was previously ordered to pay $26 million in restitution for his role in the disastrous Fyre Festival that took place in the spring of 2017.
“I’m devastated, but accepting, and I’ll use this opportunity to live my apology and become the family member, friend, business person and good citizen I should have been all along,” he added. “I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me every step of the way. Your love keeps me focused. Your hope keeps me motivated. Earning your forgiveness will fuel the rest of my days.”
In addition to the charges from the festival, Billy McFarland also was charged with two counts of bank fraud related a scheme involving fake tickets to events.
