opinion

Laws Gone Wild!

Joe Francis, owner of Girls Gone Wild franchise, made news back in September of entering into a settlement with DOJ for violating 2257 with underage models. The settlement included paying a fine of $1.6M.

In recent news, Francis and his attorney had to do community time in addition to paying the fine as reported in this xbiz article.

The closing paragraph of the xbiz article:

When Francis entered his plea in front of Morrow in September, the judge explained to him that he could have received up to 10 years in prison. Francis told the court at the time that no minors would ever appear in a Mantra film again.

So with all the hoopla and chatter from DOJ about 2257, they allow for a settlement, rather than a solid conviction over 2257?

Could it be that maybe the 2257 case wouldn't be strong enough to get a conviction?

It would seem the push for a conviction that carried 5 years in jail and a chilling message to all pornographers about having 2257 records in order would have been the stronger message.

I am sure there are more details to the story, but oh look.. boobies.....

It would appear that paying some money and sweeping up dirt from public streets is good enough to keep kids from being used in video (the next time it happens).

Too bad for pedophiles that they don't have alot of money to be offered a similar deal.

Crime doesn't pay, but porn does.

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

Eight Steps to Help Merchants Avoid Onboarding Delays

Adding a new acquiring partner, whether directly through a bank or through a payment facilitator, can mean an onboarding process that takes up to two months.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Why Better Sizing Can Help Pleasure Brands Reach More Customers

In the sexual health industry, we must be ready to problem-solve around every corner, especially in retail. You never know who will walk through your doors or what they might need or want that day, not to mention curveballs such as disabilities, neurodivergence, trauma responses, and, of course, body image sensitivities.

Mersy Love ·
opinion

How Layered Fraud Controls Can Stop Card Testing Before Chargebacks Hit

You suddenly have 400 new $1 trial signups. Sales are up, the approval rate looks great and, at first glance, the numbers seem worth celebrating.

Jonathan Corona ·
profile

WIA: Barnaby's Amy Carnegie Draws on Retail Roots to Shape Product Development

In 2012, Amy Carnegie was pursuing a master’s degree in forensic psychology and looking for a part-time job close to home when she discovered Good Vibrations’ newly opened Oakland location. The store was on the same bus route she took to school, making it a convenient option. She didn't anticipate the position would lead to a nearly 15-year career, during which she would rise through the ranks to become head of buying and product development for Good Vibrations, Babeland and Camouflage.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
opinion

Falcon/NakedSword Makes Every Body Count in 'Deeper by the Dozen'

Double trouble is on the menu in NakedSword’s “Deeper by the Dozen,” an all-sex buffet where personal space is scarce and temptation is plentiful. Trading scripted drama for a fresh batch of bare buns, the studio serves up two gangbangs with exclusive Jaxx Cody and “Trailer Trash Boys” regular Ian Sterling as the main course.

Christian Cintron ·
opinion

What Retailers Should Know About Pheromones and Attraction

A woman stands at your counter. She dabs a drop of something clear and nearly odorless on her wrist, brings it to her nose and something in her posture changes before she even leaves the store. A few feet away, a man turns a small bottle over in his hand, reading the label twice and wondering whether it might help him feel noticed again by a longtime partner.

Susan Bratton ·
opinion

How Retailers Can Turn AI-Assisted Reporting Into a Scheduled Workflow

If you have been following this series, you know I have been climbing a ladder. First, I asked an AI model to do a task. Then I got tired of explaining the task every time, so I wrote a skill, a reusable set of instructions, and put it in a project folder with everything the task needed.

Zondre Watson ·
opinion

Creator Pricing Strategies to Protect Your Time and Earning Power

Let's talk about something many creators stress over: setting your rates. Tip menus, private shows, goal bars, contests — practically every number you put on the screen says something about the value of your time. Yet too many creators price from a place of fear: “What if no one tips?”

Goddess Eve ·
opinion

Creator Tips for Planning Your Content Calendar With AI

One of the most common complaints I hear from creators is: "I know I need to post more, but I never know what to post."

Megan Stokes ·
Show More