Joe Francis, founder of Girls Gone Wild, and his legal team are engaged in a new legal battle following his recent incarceration in Florida. Francis, represented by attorney Bob Bernhoft, has stated he is not declaring war on the judiciary as a whole, but rather targeting specific officials.

Legal Challenges and Incarceration

Francis’s legal troubles began during Spring Break 2003 in Panama City, Florida, when officials attempted to prevent Girls Gone Wild and Francis from filming a Pay Per View event in the town. Francis responded by filing a First Amendment lawsuit against Panama City (Bay County), its Mayor, Sheriff, and Chief of Police individually. Francis was successful in this lawsuit, leading city officials to reverse their stance.

In 2003, Francis was jailed for contempt of court in Florida, spending over 300 days in jail. This incarceration stemmed from a judge’s determination that Francis had not meaningfully participated in settlement talks related to a lawsuit brought by two young women who alleged he had filmed them naked and underage. Francis was pictured with attorney Roy Black at the Bay County courthouse in Panama City, Florida, in 2008.

Francis spent nearly 12 months in jail, a period he attributes to being denied his 8th Amendment Constitutional right to bail. He claims that certain officials in a small Florida town sought to make an example of him. Following this, the IRS launched an investigation into his tax filings, charging him with multiple felony counts of tax evasion. These charges were eventually dropped.

Francis was sent to jail by a Panama City (Bay County), Florida judge for not settling a civil lawsuit. This lawsuit was brought against him by a lawyer who was identified as the judge’s friend and ex-law partner. The judge found Francis in civil contempt of court for not settling the lawsuit, but Francis’s legal team asserts no legal basis was cited for ordering him to jail in a civil matter. The judge then used Francis’s four-day delay in turning himself in for the "settle or jail" order to charge him with criminal contempt. This new charge provided a legal basis to hold Francis in jail.

Allegations Against the Judiciary

In an August 19, 2008, interview on "On the Record" with Greta Van Susteren, Francis discussed his legal fight. He clarified that he was not declaring war on a judge or attacking the judiciary as a whole, expressing respect for judges and the judicial process. However, Francis characterized the situation as involving "one bad apple" who was making other judges "look bad." He stated that a friend who is a federal judge expressed embarrassment over the situation.

Francis directly accused a federal judge of being "crooked." He stated he was jailed by Judge Richard Some for not settling a civil lawsuit with the judge’s ex-law partner. Francis recounted that the judge told him to "settle or go to jail" and to "settle and pay my ex-law partner millions of dollars." He further stated that he was put in jail until he signed a settlement agreement. Francis’s attorney, Bob Bernhoft, confirmed that they are not suing the judge.

Francis has maintained that his incarceration was an abuse of the criminal justice system, stating he did not believe it could be used for revenge. He described his product, Girls Gone Wild, as "fun" and "European television," consisting of "naked girls having fun." He has made over $100 million selling footage of young women exposing themselves.

Panama City Officials' Stance

The situation in Panama City during Spring Break 2003 involved former police chief Lee Sullivan, who was then the mayor. Sullivan described Panama City as a devout, rural, and "Southern, in the truest sense of the word" community. He stated that visitors are expected to adhere to set parameters, and those who cannot "can either leave or go to jail." Sullivan expressed concern that the "Girls Gone Wild" production team would not abide by these parameters, viewing their presence as an attempt to "turn our community into a theater for some soft porn movie."

Key Facts

  • Joe Francis was jailed for contempt of court in Florida in 2003, spending over 300 days in jail.
  • Francis claims he was jailed by a Panama City (Bay County) judge for not settling a civil lawsuit with the judge’s ex-law partner.
  • Francis filed a First Amendment lawsuit against Panama City (Bay County), its Mayor, Sheriff, and Chief of Police in 2003, and was victorious.
  • Francis’s attorney, Bob Bernhoft, confirmed they are not suing the judge involved in the civil contempt case.
  • Francis described the judge as "crooked" and stated he was told to "settle or go to jail."
  • The IRS launched an investigation into Francis’s tax filings, with felony tax evasion charges eventually dropped.