Joe Francis Avoids Sanctions in $3 Million Defamation Suit

LOS ANGELES — Girls Gone Wild honcho Joe Francis won't face sanctions for failing to provide discovery in a $3 million defamation suit in federal court in Trenton, N.J., the New Jersey Law Journal reported today.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Lois Goodman of the District of New Jersey said she believed Francis was dodging discovery, but she found that the plaintiff failed to demonstrate that subpoenas and notices of deposition were properly served.

Francis has been proceeding pro se in the case since January 2014 after his attorney was allowed to withdraw from representing him. But Francis refuses to provide the court or opposing counsel with his telephone number, and has failed to respond to several court orders for discovery, according to court documents. He claims his frequent traveling prevents him from being reached by phone.

In 2012, U.S. District Judge Joel Pisano of the District of New Jersey entered a default judgment for $3 million against Francis and two of his companies in the defamation suit filed by Amber Arpaio.

Arpaio filed the suit after she discovered a call girl named Ashley Alexandra Dupré had apparently stolen Arpaio’s ID and flashed it to the camera during a shoot for Girls Gone Wild. The video of Dupré flashing Arpaio’s New Jersey driver’s license was widely circulated online after Dupre sued Francis, claiming she was 17 at the time of the shoot (she later dropped the suit).  

In 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed and remanded the defamation case, finding the district court improperly asserted personal jurisdiction. The appeals court remanded the case for a determination on whether the court has personal jurisdiction over Francis.

According to the Law Journal, Arpaio asked the court to find it properly exercised jurisdiction over Francis as a sanction for his defaults on discovery. She also sought a ruling prohibiting Francis from opposing her claims based on the jurisdiction issue, as well as the reimbursement of $26,280 in fees and costs incurred as a result of his non-compliance with a pretrial scheduling order.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 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 News

Justices Alito, Thomas Invoke Victorian-Era Morality Law, Raising Censorship Concerns

Several national publications reported this week on widespread concern among Free Speech advocates after U.S. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas repeatedly invoked during a hearing the infamous segregation-era law the Comstock Act, which was the cornerstone of U.S. censorship of sexual material from the 1870s until the 1970s.

TeamSkeet Releases 1st Installment of 'Ripe for the Taking'

TeamSkeet has released the first installment of its latest feature, "Ripe for the Taking," starring TeamSkeet March AllStar Scarlett Alexis.

Pineapple Support Appoints Kasey Kei as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has appointed veteran performer and content creator Kasey Kei as its latest brand ambassador.

Nebraska AV Bill Moves Forward Despite Privacy, Free Speech Concerns

Nebraska’s unicameral Legislature has given first-round approval to LB 1092, the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Eva Maxim, Katrina Colt Headline 'Cumming to LA' From Cherry Kiss

Eva Maxim and Katrina Colt star with Vince Karter in 2021 XBIZ Europas Female Performer of the Year Cherry Kiss' "Cumming to L.A.," from Evil Angel.

Performers in Meta Blacklisting Lawsuit Seek to Preserve Antitrust Claims

Adult Performance Artists Guild board officers Alana Evans, Kelly Pierce and Ruby have informed a California court that, although they want to drop their lawsuit claiming that Meta conspired with OnlyFans to blacklist rival premium fan platforms’ talent, they may still pursue antitrust claims in the future.

Skylar Snow Headlines 'Infidelity 4' From Sweet Sinner

Skylar Snow toplines "Infidelity 4," the latest release from Mile High Media studio brand Sweet Sinner.

Serenity Cox Stars in 'Enjoy It' From MILFY

Serenity Cox stars with Alberto Blanco in "Enjoy It," from Vixen Media Group studio imprint MILFY.

Melissa Stratton Stars in Finale of Wicked's 'So Extra'

Melissa Stratton and Robby Apples star in the final scene from Wicked Pictures' "So Extra."

BiPhoria Drops Jim Powers' 'Saying GoodBi'

BiPhoria has released director Jim Powers' "Saying GoodBi."

Show More