In 1997, Joe Francis started Girls Gone Wildbuilding a controversial multi-million dollar empire that shaped (and polarized) pop culture in unexpected ways.
The Atlanta native first got the idea to make edgy videos featuring young women partying and baring it all while on summer break while working as a production assistant. Reality TV after college. This idea laid the foundation for Girls Gone Wildthe infamous mass of adult entertainment that quickly became a cultural phenomenon.
Over the years, Francis has faced a litany of legal problems, including accusations of tax evasion (per Forbes), misconduct and defamation disputes, according to Hollywood reporter. Despite many charges – some dismissed, others settled – his legal problems ended in May 2013, when he was sentenced to 270 days in prison for a 2011 incident that included three crimes: false imprisonment, assault causing serious injury, and witness tampering, respectively. to NBC News.
In his personal life, Francis entered into a long-term relationship with model Abbey Wilson in 2012. The couple welcomed two daughters, Athena and Alexandria, in 2014. However, their relationship ended, causing a controversial (and ongoing) separation between him. and his children. Francis currently lives in Mexico, where he continues to avoid returning to the US due to legal issues.
On December 3, Peacock was released Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Storybehind the scenes docuseries with interviews with former staff, critics, survivors and Francis himself. The series explores the rise and fall of the multi-million dollar franchise and its controversial founder. Reflecting on the “sustainability” of his company, Francis said that Girls Gone Wild “he released everything.”
Related: 6 Surprising Takeaways from New Girls Gone Wild Exposé: Accounts of Underage Exploitation, Coercion and More
“I think it just created an interesting generation,” he said. “It’s done a lot for the community, for life.”
So, where is Joe Francis today? Here’s everything to know about Girls Gone Wild The founder’s life before and after going to prison.
Who is Joe Francis?
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Joe Francis arrives at Planet Dailies & Mixology 101 Grand Opening held at Planet Dailies & Mixology 101 on April 5, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.
Francis is the founder of Girls Gone Wild.
Born on April 1, 1973, in Atlanta, he moved with his family to Newport Beach, Calif., at the age of 7. According to his personal website, his early life was marked by expulsion from strong schools, including a Catholic school. , a Connecticut boarding school, military school and reform school, before settling in public education. He attended the University of Southern California.
Francis then got an idea Girls Gone Wild working as a production assistant Reality TVa syndicated TV show that showed footage from a variety of events not covered in the mainstream media.
Girls Gone Wild it eventually grew into a growing franchise of infomercials, DVDs, pay-per-view events, magazines, a tour bus and clothing, but it also faced a lot of criticism.
What was Joe Francis arrested for?
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Joe Francis talks to a jury in his tax evasion case at the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and CourtHouse, after being arraigned on Monday, July 21, 2007.
Francis was first charged with more than 70 counts of drug trafficking, drug trafficking, prostitution and promoting the sexual act of minors after a trip to Panama City in 2003, according to the The New York Times. The jury dismissed all but six charges, and the founder and his production crew faced charges related to child prostitution and child pornography after filming the minors, although they were released after posting a $50 bond.
However, he would end up back in a Florida prison after lawyers said he was swearing during negotiations while settling a lawsuit brought by two women taken on a trip to Panama City. The New York Times. According to the story, he eventually settled the case but faced a charge of illegal importation into a detention center during his time in a Florida prison, where he pleaded guilty.
Over the next few years, Francis faced other legal issues, including charges of assaulting a Playboy model at a nightclub and being ordered to pay $20 million in damages to casino owner Steve Wynn for falsely claiming that Wynn had threatened to kill him, according to reports. Today.
In March 2008, Francis pleaded “no contest” to his 2003 child abuse and prostitution convictions under a plea deal that allowed him to walk free after serving nearly a year in prison, according to the law. Los Angeles Times. However, he returned to prison in May 2013, when he was sentenced to 270 days in prison, for an incident in January 2011, by NBC News.
According to the lawsuit, prosecutors accused Francis of bringing three women home after a night out, preventing them from leaving and beating one of them by smashing her head on the tile floor. Francis was convicted of three counts of imprisonment, one of assault causing grievous bodily harm and one of witness tampering.
In addition, Francis was also sentenced to serve 36 months on probation, attend psychological counseling for one year and enroll in an anger management course.
Where is Joe Francis now?
Joe Francis / Instagram
Joe Francis at the 2024 Miss Universe crown in Mexico City, Mexico.
Francis fled the US in 2015 and has been living in Mexico. Two federal judges called for his arrest, with one recommending prison time, as of May 2015 Wall Street Journal report.
Currently, Francis lives in a 45,000-square-foot property in Punta Mita, Mexico, where he said in the Peacock series that some Girls Gone Wild videos were taken.
In December 2017, Francis lost the right to receive profits from his Punta Mita property until he repaid more than $2 million he fraudulently transferred to finance the property, although it is unclear if the beach house is where Francis lives.
Who is Joe Francis’ ex-girlfriend?
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Joe Francis and Abbey Wilson attend The Blacks’ Annual Gala to benefit The Consequences Program and Bay Point Schools at the Eden Roc Hotel on April 18, 2009 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Francis started dating model Abbey Wilson in 2012 after she won his show, Looking for the Hottest Girl in America. At the time, he was 18, and he was in his mid-30s, at Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story. They welcomed twin daughters, Athena and Alexandria, on October 7, 2014, in Mexico.
Francis and Wilson were in love for many years until they seemed to separate completely in 2021. They entered into an ongoing battle for their children, who are said to have been living with their mother in the US while Francis lives in Mexico.
What did Joe Francis say? Girls Gone Wild and his time in prison?
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Joe Francis CEO of Mantra Films and producer of “Girls Gone Wild” holds a press conference at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel on March 13, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California.
Reflecting on the Panama City scandal in 2003, Francis showed little remorse Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story.
“I don’t believe they were abused. I believe they abused me. 100%,” he said. “I believe and we all believe that they were placed by the Panama City Police and it was an operation.”
Francis also expressed his anger at the administration during a 2013 interview with Hollywood reportercalling the jury “weak members of the group.”
According to NBC News, Francis apologized shortly after, in which he shared his “deep regret” for his comments.
“They hurt me and they don’t show my true feelings. Although I do not agree with the verdict of the court of law as I am completely innocent of the crime and I want to appeal my case, I was given a fair trial, and if I lose at the level of opposition, reluctantly but fully accept the verdict of the court of law,” he said.
In the Peacock document, Francis also denied the information that he crossed paths with them Girls Gone Wild story, saying that he only allowed sex with older women.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, text “STRONG” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a crisis counselor.
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