Joe Francis

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

In February of 2009, Francis was placed on house arrested after he showed up five hours later for a scheduled court appearance in connection with his 2008 tax evasion case. He explained to the judge that his tardiness was a result of suffering from the flu.Huffington Post: "Girls Gone Wild" Joe Francis Arrested In LA (February 2, 2009) Several days later, Francis was released from house arrest after his physician showed up in court to vouch for his illness.TMZ: Free to Roam, Again (February 11, 2009)

In January of 2009, TMZ reported that Francis and Hustler publisher Larry Flynt would seek a bailout. As was the case with several other industries, the pornography industry suffered losses due to the economic crisis and its leaders reportedly feel that they deserve a bailout similar to that given to the auto industry.New York Daily News: Porn kings Larry Flint and Joe Francis (January 7, 2009)

Francis, through 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 filmed. However, under Florida law, women under the age of 18 can be filmed nude as long as they consent.Orlando Sentinel: Photos show woman identified as Ashley Dupre at 'Girls Gone Wild' party Dupre filed a lawsuit against Francis, Cyrus Koewing, Mantra Films and 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 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 college-age women exposing 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. The charges were related to filming underage girls during spring break 2003 in Panama City.