Joe Francis Now Faces Possibility of Incarceration

LOS ANGELES — To date, former Girls Gone Wild mogul Joe Francis must pay $50,000 in sanctions — incurring $5,000-a-day fines over the past 10 days — for not handing over a 2012 Bentley Flying Spur and a 2007 Cadillac Escalade.

Both vehicles, previously Girls Gone Wild company cars, were reported by Francis to have been seized by a Mexican strip club operator after the company defaulted on a deal. As a result, Francis said he can't produce the cars allegedly taken in Guadalajara, Mexico.

But on Friday U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sandra Klein could do more than just collect the daily sanctions and a bankruptcy trustee's attorneys fees from Francis in her July 17 civil contempt order.

Klein could incarcerate Francis if he doesn't hand over the $200,000 Bentley and aging Cadillac.

If the two cars haven't been returned by Friday, "the court will consider what additional sanctions, if any, including issuance of arrest warrants for Francis…might be appropriate,” according to Judge Klein’s 31-page order filed at U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles.

Klein, in the order, said that Francis' story about the cars is "difficult to believe and sufficient to demonstrate impossibility."

Earlier this month, Klein also said that Francis had violated a consent order and preliminary injunction that barred him from communicating with or harassing Girls Gone Wild employees, coming within 100 feet of its offices and interfering with the trustee's control of assets.

Due to the violation, Klein imposed $40,000 in attorneys fees to a trustee and likely will grant another $20,000 on Friday.

Today, Francis' attorney, Michael Kolodzi, filed an opposition to Klein's civil contempt sanctions that could include incarceration.

In a brief, Kolodzi told the court, citing a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals case, that the judge has no authority for criminal contempt powers because of the inability of bankruptcy courts to offer the required due process procedural protections, including a jury.

The brief also noted that Francis' girlfriend, as principal of Perfect Science Labs, a company controlled by Francis, also faces incarceration.

GGW Acquisition bought Girls Gone Wild assets for $1.825 million at bankruptcy auction. The company's assets went up for sale after Francis-operated companies filed Chapter 11 in a reported pre-emptive move to stave off Las Vegas entertainment mogul Steve Wynn and his companies from taking assets as repayment for more than $30 million in gambling debts.

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

Haley Spades Stars in Latest From Immoral

Haley Spades stars with Charlie Dean, Matt Bird, and Dean Van Damme in a new three-part release from Immoral Productions, directed by "Porno Dan" Leal.

Octavia Red Makes Her Vampired Debut

Octavia Red has made her Vampired debut alongside Talia Mint and 2023 XMA Europas Female Performer of the Year Tiffany Tatum in the new feature “Hunters.”

Lily Starfire Fronts Latest From Brazzers

Lily Starfire stars with Kyle Mason in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Eating Ass Is the Game."

Country Hotwife Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Content creator Country Hotwife has made her debut for Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint WIFEY, alongside her husband StagHubby and former XMAs Male Performer of the Year Isiah Maxwell.

Vixen Media Group Celebrates 10 Years of 'Tushy'

Vixen Media Group (VMG) is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of studio imprint Tushy.

Cherry Kiss Stars in Latest 'Blind Dates' From Bellesa

Cherry Kiss headlines the 16th volume of "Blind Dates," from Bellesa.

Emma Rosie Toplines Pat Myne's 'Gape For Days 5'

Emma Rosie headlines director Pat Myne's "Gape For Days 5," from Evil Angel.

Adult Time Drops 2nd Installment of Bree Mills Thriller 'Escape From Camp Conversion'

Adult Time has debuted the second episode of the Bree Mills-helmed thriller "Escape From Camp Conversion," from studio brand Girlcore.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Eris Jolie Makes Her TransAngels Debut

Eris Jolie has made her TransAngels debut alongside Bree Brooks in "A Very Filthy Cookout."

Show More