'Girls Gone Wild' CEO still in jail
Published: Sept. 28, 2007 at 2:53 PM
NEW YORK, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- "Girls Gone Wild" CEO Joe Francis is furious Phil Spector and O.J. Simpson are free while he sits in jail because a Florida judge refuses to set bail for him.
The controversial 34-year-old filmmaker, who has been awaiting trial for the past six months, believes the judge is refusing to set bail because he is "intent on making some sort of example" of him -- even though he has been declared neither a flight risk nor a danger to the community.
The charges against Francis stem from a 2003 incident in Panama City, Florida, in which cameramen, not directly employed by "Girls Gone Wild," filmed sexual situations involving young women who lied about their ages on camera and in written releases so they could appear in "Girls Gone Wild," Mantra Films said in a statement.
Panama City authorities hit Francis with several charges and seized his private jet.
A judge, however, found the Sheriff's Department lied repeatedly in its warrants against Francis and, as a result, most of the criminal charges were dropped.
Francis recently established a Web site, www.meetjoefrancis.com, to set the record straight about his personal life, business and legal challenges.
The controversial 34-year-old filmmaker, who has been awaiting trial for the past six months, believes the judge is refusing to set bail because he is "intent on making some sort of example" of him -- even though he has been declared neither a flight risk nor a danger to the community.
The charges against Francis stem from a 2003 incident in Panama City, Florida, in which cameramen, not directly employed by "Girls Gone Wild," filmed sexual situations involving young women who lied about their ages on camera and in written releases so they could appear in "Girls Gone Wild," Mantra Films said in a statement.
Panama City authorities hit Francis with several charges and seized his private jet.
A judge, however, found the Sheriff's Department lied repeatedly in its warrants against Francis and, as a result, most of the criminal charges were dropped.
Francis recently established a Web site, www.meetjoefrancis.com, to set the record straight about his personal life, business and legal challenges.
© 2007 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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