Joe Francis' Legal Troubles Mount

LOS ANGELES — "Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis is facing legal problems on both coasts.

Panama City, Fla., attorney Jean Downing has filed a federal lawsuit against Francis, claiming he is refusing to pay her for $77,000 worth of work she did defending Francis from a lawsuit brought by Brittany Pitt, who claimed Francis and his company Mantra Films had shot her while she was underage.

Downing said Francis has paid about $27,000 of $104,000 worth of work she and her staff put into the case, but he is refusing to pay the rest.

Francis has said that the two former Mantra executives who made the deal with Downing had no authority to do so.

Downing said she went to and tried mediation, but Francis wouldn't take part, and also claimed she tried arbitration and Francis failed to participate. She is pursuing the $77,000 plus court fees, attorney fees and other expenses.

In Los Angeles, a judge has approved the expansion of a lawsuit against Francis by an interior design firm owner who claims he was threatened by Francis for agreeing to cooperate in a tax evasion investigation against Francis.

The designer — Ralph T. Haenisch, owner of Los Angeles-based Trip Haenisch & Associates — originally filed suit against Francis on April 10 in Los Angeles Superior Court alleging breach of oral contract, claiming Francis refused to pay nearly $285,000 for furniture and other furnishing items for his Bel-Air home, which Francis intended to make a "showpiece to the world."

Ten days later, Haenisch added a claim for defamation, alleging that Francis defamed him in emails after Francis saw a posting about the lawsuit on a celebrity website.

Judge Coleman A. Swart granted a request by Haensich's lawyers to add a new cause of action: for intentional infliction of emotional distress. This claim alleges Francis sent intimidating e-mails after finding out that Haenisch could be called as a witness in a tax evasion case brought against him in 2007.

Francis' lawyers maintain in their court papers that the e-mails were not threatening and had nothing to do with Haenisch's agreement to cooperate with government officials.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 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

Evil Angel Launches 'Iconic Angels,' Names Annette Schwarz Inaugural Performer

Evil Angel has launched its new Iconic Angels spotlight retrospective and named Annette Schwarz its inaugural performer.

Charlie Valentine Channels Vintage Seduction

There’s a certain softness to Charlie Valentine’s voice — like velvet over steel. She’s warm and easy to talk to, but there’s no mistaking the strength in her words. A Vegas native with glossy black hair and classic Bettie Page bangs, she gives off a timeless kind of cool: the kind of woman who rescues senior pets, meditates before every shoot and genuinely wants to know the story behind your antique furniture.

Corey Silverstein to Host Webinar on 'SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling'

Where Does Age Verification Go From Here," to livestream July 10 at 4 p.m. (EDT).

Brazzers Debuts New Series 'MILF Quest'

Cherie DeVille stars in the first episode of new Brazzers limited series, “MILF Quest.”

Anna Claire Clouds Stars in Latest From Ricky's Room

Reigning XMAs Female Performer of the Year Anna Claire Clouds stars in the latest release from Ricky's Room, titled "Cloudy With A Chance Of DP."

Samantha Sinz Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Creator Samantha Sinz stars with her husband Gus and Isiah Maxwell in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint WIFEY.

FSC Publishes Guidance on Google Analytics Lawsuits

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published guidance on how adult websites can protect themselves in the wake of several consumer class action lawsuits filed against sites for using Google Analytics.

Anna Claire Clouds Headlines 'The Sex Therapist 7' From Sweet Sinner

2025 XMAs Female Performer of the Year Anna Claire Clouds toplines “The Sex Therapist 7,” the latest release from Mile High Media studio imprint Sweet Sinner.

Ashby Winter Performs Her 1st DP in Finale of VMG Cross-Site 'In Vogue' Sequel

Ashby Winter performs her first DP alongside Dimitri Shadow and Troy Francisco in the final scene from Vixen Media Group (VMG) cross-site feature "In Vogue 2."

Addison Vodka on Playing Nice - and Playing Rough

‘It’s such a funny story,” says Addison Vodka, tossing her long, beachy blonde waves over her shoulder. “I discovered that my boyfriend at the time was using camming websites behind my back. So I was like, ‘Well, if you’re going to go on there, then I’m just going to go on there.’”

Show More