Panama City, FL (AHN) – Even the toughest porn kings can have their moments of weakness. After seeing his mother, a handcuffed Joe Francis was reduced to tears as he told her “I didn’t do anything.”
While the soft-porn entrepreneur believes he is innocent, the U.S. government, a few female minors and some prison guards have evidence to the contrary.
The legal troubles for Joe, a Hollywood bad-boy who has lived the high life thanks to his job of filming young girls on Spring Break for DVD release, have gone from bad to worse. Initially wanted for criminal contempt, charges against the filmmaker are now escalating and even include a form of bribery.
Used to drinking Crystal champagne in Hollywood’s hippest nightclubs, wild-man Joe has reportedly been lowered to bribe prison guards with $100 bills for some clean water – an act that is illegal when in prison.
Contributing to Joe’s failing efforts to settle into life in a jumpsuit behind bars, he has been found with prescription drugs in his cell. The medication, which he used in the days when he was a free man, have not been prescribed by a prison doctor and authorities are wondering how the drugs got in.
Joe’s business partner, Scott Barbour, the president of Mantra Films Inc., was arrested on April 12 for allegedly supplying the inmate with the drugs, including anti-anxiety pills Aprazolam and Lorazepam and sleeping medication Lunesta. Scott visited his friend and colleague in jail just days before his arrest.
The chances of Joe being a free man once again are looking slim as bribery of a public servant, possession of a controlled substance and smuggling pills into prison could be added to his long list of charges.
Instead of attempting to be released on bond, Joe and his lawyers waived the hearing and he returned to jail and he is facing multiple sentences, one up to 10 years.
The “Girls Gone Wild” creator will appear at a hearing on April 23 to find out if he is guilty of the first charge, criminal contempt of court.
Michael Burke, one of the many attorneys trying to help Joe, said to reporters outside the courthouse that the case is becoming complicated.
He said, “It’s certainly been a novel case with a variety of unexpected twists and turns, but we anticipate that there will be a fair and just resolution to all of these matters – sooner, hopefully, than later.”
It will be a different year for U.S. college girls who are going to enjoy a camera-free Spring Break.