(Joe Francis with Lindsay Lohan)

Joseph “Joe” Francis, 33, founder of Mantra Films which produces the Girls Gone Wild video series, has pleaded guilty to violation of Section 2257 — which required producers to create and maintain age and identity charges of female models in adult productions.

Francis and his company will pay fines totalling $2.1 million.

Francis’ business made $40 million of sales from videos such as “Ultimate Spring Break” and “Girls Gone Wild on Campus Uncensored” which show young women, often drunk in spring break parties in Florida, flashing or undressing to the cameras in exchange for t-shirts or some giveaways.

There were ealier complaints from women who claimed they didn’t know the videos were being made for commercial distribution, and even charges of deceptive billing and shipping practices which they settled for $1.1 million.

Francis was even accused of rape.

1,765 views This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 13th, 2006 at 2:15 am and is filed under America, Crime, Law. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.