PR was important for the site because they be authorized by google, so the site will high value and rangkin in google eye.
While Google does use links to a web page to determine the web page's PR value, it is impossible these days to make use of Google to find what links are directed to your pages. Even the Google webmaster tools interface will not explain you all of the links Google is counting towards your own Link Popularity or PR value.
Hahaha that is funny... I wish that was the case - I have PR4 sites that don't even earn $1,000 a month smoothly....