Joe Francis

Guide Note

Joe Francis is the founder of Mantra Films, Inc., which produces the Girls Gone Wild and Guys Gone Wild DVD series.

Fast Facts

1. Real name: Jonah Frankel
2. Born April 1, 1973
3. Grew up: Laguna Beach, California
4. Occupation: Producer
5. Alma Mater: University of Southern California
6. Degree in Business Administration
7. Completed USC’s Entrepreneur Program
8. Founder of Mantra Films
9. Producer of Girls Gone Wild adult DVDs

Francis, and the Girls Gone Wild franchise, released footage of Ashley Dupre, the woman involved in the Spitzer prostitution ring, on March 19, 2008. Allegedly, Dupre was 17-years-old at the time the footage was filmever, however, under Florida law, women under the age of 18 can be filmed nude as long as you have their consent.¹ Dupre filed a lawsuit against Francis, Cyrus Koewing, Mantra Films, MRA Holdings, LLC, for $10 million, on April 28, 2008. The lawsuit states that Dupre was a victim of cybersquatting.

While working for Real TV, Francis was inspired by a private staff compilation video that showed footage too racy, or extreme, for television. He edited the footage, called it Banned from Television, and began selling it. Because of its commercial success, Francis made sequels. Some of the newer footage showed girls of college age showing their breasts to the camera. Thus, the Girls Gone Wild franchise was born.

Francis was indicted in 2007, on charges of tax evasion. On March 12, 2008, Francis plead no contest to charges of child abuse and prostitution in Florida, and was fined $60,000 and time served. The charges were related to filming underage girls at Spring Break, in Panama City, in 2003.