Los Angeles [AM daily.com]- The news on the ground from our correspondent Drew Combs in Los Angeles is that Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis did not appear for a court hearing this morning in his federal tax evasion case.
Combs reports that U.S. district court judge S. James Otero has issued a bench warrant for Francis's arrest and that lawyers from Munger, Tolles & Olson--a firm previously thought to be retained by Francis--told Otero that they won't represent the mail-order millionaire.
The case is set for trial next month but Francis has complicated matters by once again juggling his legal representation. He was scheduled to appear pro se on Monday after engaging in a high-profile spat with his former lawyers from The Bernhoft Law Firm, who are seeking to withdraw from the case.
