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By Charles Montaldo, About.com Guide to Crime / Punishment since 2004

'Gone Wild' Founder Gets 35 Days in Jail

Tuesday April 24, 2007
The founder of the "Girls Gone Wild" videos, who makes a reported $29 million selling videos of partially nude, intoxicated girls, pleaded guilty to contempt of court charges and was sentenced to 35 days in jail. Shedding tears, Joe Francis apologized to the court for screaming obscenities at the plaintiffs during settlement discussions.

"I am sorry for my behavior. It was wrong. I had heard about appeals and things and I was confused. I am sorry, I really am," said Francis.

Francis has been held in jail since April 10 when he was arrested at the airport in Panama City, Florida by U.S. Marshals. He had been ordered to surrender by April 5, but defiantly called U.S. District Judge Richard Smoak a "judge gone wild."

Francis' trouble began when, during court-ordered settlement talks with seven women suing him because he filmed them when they were minors, he began shouting obscenities at the women.

Francis claimed the women lied about their ages on release forms and he was personally not even in the country when the videos were made. Since he has been jailed, however, Francis has worked out a settlement with the women, who were suing him for $70 million.

Jan Handzlik, Francis' attorney, said being in jail has given his client an attitude adjustment. "He is a different man. Undoubtedly he is a different man," Handzlik told reporters.

Earlier Article:
'Girls Gone Wild' Creator Ordered Jailed

See Also:
'Girls Gone Wild' Founder Gets Jail Time

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