Celebrity Justice
Joe Francis Free in Nevada, Still a Wanted Man

Joe Francis"Girls Gone Wild" pimpresario Joe Francis is finally a free man in Nevada, but his problems are far from over.

After spending nearly one month in federal custody on charges of federal tax evasion, United States Magistrate Judge Robert A. McQuaid issued an order permitting Francis to be released on $1.5 million bail late Monday afternoon. But as TMZ suggested last week, the win could clear the way for officials in Florida to drag the embattled sexecutive down south to face even more charges, including sexual performance with a minor and bringing contraband into the county jail where he was holed up for a month.

In a statement to TMZ, Francis' lawyer Aaron Dyer said: "We are pleased with today's decision. The Court conducted a very thorough analysis of the facts and determined that Mr. Francis' release is appropriate in this case. The Court ruled that the conditions of Mr. Francis' bail were sufficient to compel Mr. Francis to appear in court and to comply with Court orders. Now this allows us to address the issue of bail in his Florida case."



Reader Comments

(Page 3 of 3) Previous 15 Comments

31. This is a copy of a previous post I made on another thread re Francis here earlier which turned out to be correct: More than likely the feds in the District of Nevada will release Francis on O.R. (own recognizance) since his offenses are non-violent in nature, unless the federal magistrate, at his
arraignment hearing, considers [him] a flight risk. Since Francis
does own property in Mexico, a private jet at his disposal + the fact
that the dollar amount alleged in the indictment is excessive ($20M)
he "could" be detained at a federal detention facility in Nevada
pending trial (which might be several months). He will most probably
be released on a "significant" financial bond, as is generally the case
in federal "white collar" offenses. Then, on the pending state charges
back in Florida, he would need to be extradited from Nevada if he
isn't held in custody by the U.S. Marshals. By far, Francis' biggest
legal problems that he faces are the federal charges. There's no way
out for him but to work out a plea agreement with the government in
lieu of trial. Meanwhile, Mantra, his production company will contine
to rake in the bucks big-time even when Francis is serving time in
Camp Fed. If convicted, this will not be a "Paris Hilton type"
sentence, he's facing some serious federal time on the tax evasion
charges + who knows what will come of the state charges in Florida.
When all is said + done, he's a young guy + will emerge as wealthy as
ever with the only strike against him the fact that he will be a
convicted felon for life! I've unfortunately been through the wrath
of the federal criminal justice system myself, so I speak from
experience.

Posted at 9:31AM on Jun 5th 2007 by Leonard

32. Posted at 11:50AM on Jun 5th 2007 by ILUVSPRINGBREAK

I don't think you get it. . .

Posted at 12:24PM on Jun 5th 2007 by Stimkerbell

33. HE NEEDS TO BE LOCKED UP... I CANNOT STAND THIS MAN.... HE IS A CON-ARTIST....AND HE KNOWS WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS HE WAS RUNNING.....HE SHUD GO BACK TO JAIL JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAVE NOT PAID THEIR TAXES. HE IS AN ARROGANT PIECE OF CRAP...

Posted at 1:03PM on Jun 5th 2007 by shirl smith

34. STIMKERBELL:

DID YOU EVEN READ MY POST? IT STARTS OUT LIKE THIS,

"I guess I'm confused as to why Joe Francis is the bad guy!"

OK....What don't I get? I've seen it first hand! I got several time for Spring Breaks wh0res!

Parents do yourselves a favor and raise your children properly and there will be nothing to get!

Posted at 2:42PM on Jun 5th 2007 by ILUVSPRINGBREAK

35. SHIRL -

THE GOVERNMENT COLLECTS TAXES ILLEGALLY!!!!! GO DO A BIT OF CORPORATE RESEARCH, LOOK IN THE MIRROR, AND WATCH YOUR EYES POP OUT OF YOUR HEAD WHEN YOU FID OUT HOW MANY US BUSINESSES DON'T PAY TAXES!!!!! I'M CERTAIN SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE RICH PEOPLE DON'T!

Posted at 2:55PM on Jun 5th 2007 by ILUVSPRINGBREAK

36. lets play chess in prison, for $585 a game, sugar

Posted at 3:13PM on Jun 5th 2007 by catheadmoon

37. Leave him alone!! He hasn't done anyrthing except profit from societies' desires. Show me one straight man that hasn't wanted to take pictures of hot girls that are drunk, and I'll show you a liar! He just figured out a way to make money from it!

Posted at 3:04PM on Jun 22nd 2007 by James

Previous 15 Comments