Joe Francis Sues U.S. for Freezing 2 Accounts

LOS ANGELES — Mantra Entertainment’s Joe Francis, founder of the "Girls Gone Wild" franchise, has filed a suit to force the IRS to release funds it has levied against two financial accounts.

Francis owes $17,658,358 in 2001, $11,238,582 in 2002 and $4,922,147 in 2003, according to the IRS. Francis denies owing the IRS such amounts.

Court papers reveal that three IRS officials met with Francis on Nov. 6 at Mantra’s Santa Monica, Calif., office and delivered tax due notices.

After they left the Mantra offices, IRS officials served notices to levy on Francis accounts at USB Financial Services and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.

Francis attorneys told the court that the levies are invalid because the assessments were not given to the Francis before the levies were made, which the government said is incorrect.

The government said Friday that Francis hasn’t been improperly assessed, hasn’t shown irreparable harm and hasn’t shown the inadequacy of legal remedies.

Francis said the frozen accounts have put him on the brink of bankruptcy and preventing him from running his business.

U.S. District Judge Valerie Baker Fairbank has been assigned the case.

View court doc Joe Francis vs. U.S.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

2025 XBIZ Miami Speaker Lineup Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the release of the full speaker lineup for XBIZ Miami, the latest edition of the adult industry’s premier creator conference, set to take place May 19-22 at the Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach hotel in South Beach.

AV Bulletin: Arizona's About-Face, What New Laws Mean for Adult

Industry stakeholders and free speech advocates have anxiously been awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, which could significantly impact state age verification laws around the United States. In the meantime, state legislatures continue to weigh and pass AV bills, the U.K. and the EU are moving ahead with their own AV mandates and strategies, and legal challenges continue to play out in U.S. courts — with some cases on hold pending the SCOTUS ruling in Paxton.

Angela White Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Multi-XMAs winner Angela White stars with Victor Ray in the latest release from Brazzers, titled “Pornstar Matchmaker: Episode 1.”

Connie Perignon Performs 1st DVP in Latest From Ricky's Room

Connie Perignon performs her first DVP in the latest release from Ricky’s Room, titled “Connie Gets Double Stuffed.”

Evil Angel Drops Angelo Godshack's 'Hardcore Gangbangs III'

Evil Angel has released director Angelo Godshack’s “Hardcore Gangbangs III.”

'Neon Nightswim' Party Returns to XBIZ Miami

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the annual Neon Nightswim Pool Party will once again illuminate XBIZ Miami on Tuesday, May 20.

Sabien DeMonia Fronts Gangbang in Latest Directorial for Evil Angel

Director Sabien DeMonia has dropped her latest directorial effort for Evil Angel, performing in a gangbang scene titled “Metal Ass Fuck 8 on 1 Gangbang.”

Hailey Rose Fronts Latest From New Sensations

Reigning XMAs Fan Favorite Female Performer Hailey Rose stars with Dorian Del Isla in the latest release from New Sensations, titled "I Like to Watch."

FSC Addresses UK Age Verification Guidelines

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published an article offering guidance on the U.K.'s Online Safety Act and the various guidelines put forward by the country's telecommunications regulator Ofcom.The article follows:

Aubrey Kate Returns to TransAngels

Aubrey Kate stars with Austin Rex in the latest release from TransAngels, titled “A Cab Named Desire.”

Show More