PENSACOLA, FL — Joe Francis may be one of the luckiest men in the adult entertainment industry. Aside from the fact that he, his Mantra Films, Inc. company, and its Girls Gone Wild line of videos are constantly in the media because of some scandal or other, the man’s luck in court is amazing.The latest courtroom miracle occurred on Thursday, when Circuit Judge Dedee Costello dismissed most of the felony and misdemeanor charges still filed against Francis, concluding that evidence simply does not exist to support them.
At issue has been the complaint of two then-17-year-old girls who accused the Girls Gone Wild team of videotaping them in age-inappropriate sexual situations during the company’s pass through Panama City Beach, FL during spring break in 2003.
Thanks to Costello’s decision, Francis and company now face a mere four felony and two misdemeanor counts, as opposed to the 40 originally lodged against them. Defense attorneys have until January 31st to file motions to dismiss the remaining charges, which relate to the use of minors and conspiracy to use minors in sexual performances. If successful prosecuted, the felony charges carry a possible maximum combined prison sentence of 40 years. The two misdemeanor counts relate to prostitution, but their penalty is not currently clear.
Costello chose to retain the six charges after prosecutors assured her that a photographer and cameraman might testify during the trial.
Francis’ legal team continues to remain unflapped by the drama, with attorney Larry Simpson stating that “We continue to believe the entire case should be dismissed and we will be filing additional motions seeking the dismissal.”
The majority of initially filed charges against Francis were dropped in early December when Costello denied hundreds of hours of videotape footage that she deemed improperly seized from his condominiums and private jet. Last month U.S. District Judge Richard Smoak ordered Francis and three top corporate officials to perform community service in addition to paying a $1.6 million fine for having filmed the girls in question. Although the company agreed to pay the fine, it is appealing the community service, stating the monthly travel to Florida would be an unreasonably hardship. Mantra Films, Inc. has also pled guilty to violating federal record-keeping and labeling laws.
