- “Your honor, they’re all trailer-trash whores!”
At the center of everything: Joe Francis, the sleazebag founder of Girls Gone Wild who’s facing a federal civil lawsuit filed by four young women who claim they were unwillingly filmed for a Girls Gone Wild video when they were underage—allegations Francis will defend himself against by serving as his own lawyer.
According to Joe Francis’s official press releases, his experiments in attorneyism were going swimmingly:
Francis, looking less like a defendant and more like a lawyer, continues to defend himself by cross-examining the 4 women about whether or not they had ever actually met him….One by one the women took the stand, each reciting a seemingly coached recollection of what allegedly happened to them before, during and after appearing in Girls Gone Wild videos filmed during Spring Break 2002-2003.
But then there were the official reports of Panama City, Florida’s WMBB News….
Despite repeated warnings he’d be held in contempt, Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis continued to represent himself in Federal court Wednesday….Francis was late to court, and was told he’d be fined if it happened again. Before the proceedings even started, he walked out of the courtroom cursing.
Federal Judge Richard Smoak had to tell Francis to calm himself several times during the first half of the day Wednesday. Although he does not have a law degree, Francis is representing himself at the trial. He did not submit a witness or evidence list at the proper time, and therefore has limited his case to cross examinations so far.
For a taste of Francis’s courthouse demeanor, here’s a news report from WMBB, in which he tastefully labels his accusers “white-trash, trailer-trash whores.”
I’d like to remind readers that these alleged trailer-trash whores were allegedly underage when Francis produced video images of them naked. I’d also like to point out that Francis is facing judgment from a jury drawn from these underage whores’ community (which Francis has described as “good-old-boy”), and that all seven of the jurors are women.
Francis’ official statement:
“I respect this judge, I have trust in this jury, and I have a particular fondness for Lady Justice.”
BREAKING NEWS! Cokey Joe is no longer representing himself! Take it away, WMBB:
During proceedings Thursday,, Judge Richard Smoak was informed that Francis was no longer representing himself and had retained the services of a husband and wife team of attorneys from here in Panama City.
For his previous fake-lawyer shenanigans, Francis was cited for contempt of court and fined $2,500.
Stay tuned!
This story is so delicious I want the recipe.
“all seven of the jurors are women.”
Jury selection / voir dire fail. Yeah representing yourself, not such a great idea after all it seems.
“A man who represents himself has a fool for a client”
Yeah, he’s a dumbass. He may actually be able to pull this off, though. These women all signed a release saying they were over 18.
@4 but if they were under 18, doesn’t that make the release invalid, since they can’t legally sign a contract as minors? Also, I would think that the “she said she was 18” defense would be as invalid in this case as in a statutory rape case.
This is the south–you can say nigger and bitch and damn on air (i have seen it, i lived in northern florida) but the word Whore gets censored. Seriously–fuck the South and thanks for the hi-speed rail money!
I had always that you could get a government issued ID that said how old you were @4. I have a fondness for Lady Justice, and she is going to crush this bug.
There’s nothing like a healthy, wholesome interest and curiosity about sex and what turns you on (if it is consensual by those involved) is really no one’s business, but Joe Francis is the lowest form of vermin. I don’t have much respect for an adult who would purchase and watch a Girls Gone Wild – not because of its context which is in itself all kinds of creepy (young, drunk girls alone or in pairs being compelled by weasels to show their tits and asses ), but because it enriches Joe Francis.
Also, I’m pretty tired of those TV commercials. Aren’t you?
I read the article you liked to, including the comments. What a vile bunch of people!
Florida is a shit hole.
He’ll get a slap on the wrist and pay a fine. Again.
I hope Lady Justice pegs his smarmy ass.
@9 yeah that comment thread is so one-sided and slut-shaming (and ignorant of the law) that it doesn’t seem real. Very depressing.
What bullshit. These girls’ lives spiraled into chaos because someone took a picture of their tits? Boo-hoo.
The guy’s also got dozens, and DOZENS of sexual assault and rape allegiations against him, including one against a reporter who was interviewing him.
Also, since most of those girls were drunk – wouldn’t they also be in no shape to sign waiver forms?
@14, one of those girls was thirteen. My condolences that you’re such a sexist douchebag loser you can’t see why that might not be so cool.
Wasn’t there something a couple of years ago about Francis being kidnapped and humiliated/anally raped on video? Because that’s a bootleg I’d totally like to watch over and over again. I’d even masturbate to it–not because I’d find it arousing, but just on principle.