Joe Francis arrested

Joe Francis arrested

Joe Francis arrestedJoe Francis arrested. “Girls Gone Wild” founder Joe Francis has been arrested in Los Angeles after he showed up five hours late for a court hearing in his tax evasion case. When the adult-video entrepreneur finally appeared in court on Monday afternoon, he told the judge he was suffering from the flu. Francis’ attorney Melissa Weinberger says U.S. marshals then handcuffed Francis and took him away.

Francis is accused of claiming more than $20 million in bogus business expenses on his corporate tax returns, including $3.8 million for a home in Mexico and $10.4 million in phony consulting services. He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of federal tax evasion.

The hearing was to consider a request from his tax attorneys to recuse themselves.