Tax Trial Delayed for 'Gone Wild' Founder

In April 2007, the founder of the multimillion dollar "Girls Gone Wild" video empire was sentenced to 35 days in jail for contempt of court. Now, almost a year later, Joe Francis remains incarcerated in Nevada where he faces federal tax charges, but still with a no-bail warrant outstanding in Florida.

Last week, a federal judge delayed Francis' tax evasion trial until August, causing his attorneys to request a bail arrangement that would allow him to be released from jail in Nevada but not extradited back to Florida where he faces criminal charges.

U.S. District Judge Brian Sandoval said he would rule on the bail proposal soon. Federal prosecutors argued that his current bail status is reasonable because they believe the millionaire filmmaker is a flight risk.

Deductions Gone Wild

The request to delay the tax evasion trial was made by Francis' attorneys. He is charged with claiming more than $20 million in phony deductions and using offshore accounts to conceal income.

Francis has reportedly made more than $29 million filming intoxicated, bare-breasted women. In Florida, he is accused of making nude videos of underage girls.

His initial incarceration came for contempt of court in a civil case in which seven minor females were suing him for filming them. Francis, who was ordered to negotiate a settlement with the girls, exploded into obscenities during the face-to-face negotiations.

See Also:
'Girls Gone Wild' Tax Trial Delayed

Earlier Articles:
'Gone Wild' Founder Gets 35 Days in Jail
'Girls Gone Wild' Creator Ordered Jailed

^{Photo: Mug Shot}