Joe Francis Back in Jail Again

Joe Francis, the founder of the "Girls Gone Wild" video empire was back in jail Monday after a federal judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest for failing to show up at a hearing in his tax evasion case. The hearing was scheduled at 8:30 a.m. Francis was arrested at 1:30 p.m. when he showed up with his new attorney.

Attorney Melissa A. Weinberger told the court that Francis was suffering from the flu.

The hearing was scheduled by Francis' former attorney, Robert E. Barnes, who filed a motion asking to be removed from the case due to "strategic differences of opinion" with Francis. When Francis did not show up at the hearing and could not be reached by telephone, U.S. District Judge S. James Otero issued a warrant for his arrest.

UPDATE: Francis was released from jail by Judge Otero the following day, provided that he could provide a doctor's note saying he was too sick to be on time for court Monday. Francis was ordered to remain under house arrest for the next week.

Joe Francis' Problems Continue

Francis is facing federal charges of claiming more than $20 million in bogus business expenses on his corporate tax returns, including $3.8 million for a home in Mexico and $10.4 million in phony consulting services.

In April 2007, Francis was jailed by a federal judge in Florida for contempt of court when he refused to negotiate a settlement in a civil case against him by underage girls who sued him for getting them drunk and convincing them to take off their clothes for the camera.

Francis was finally freed after 11 months when he agreed to a plea bargain and entered no contest pleas to child abuse and prostitution charges.

See Also:
Joe Francis Felled by Flu, Picked Up by Police

Background:
The Legal Troubles of Joe Francis

What Is Your Opinion?
Discuss The Joe Francis Case

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^{Photo: Mug Shot}