Joe Francis Sues U.S. for Freezing 2 Accounts

LOS ANGELES — Mantra Entertainment’s Joe Francis, founder of the "Girls Gone Wild" franchise, has filed a suit to force the IRS to release funds it has levied against two financial accounts.

Francis owes $17,658,358 in 2001, $11,238,582 in 2002 and $4,922,147 in 2003, according to the IRS. Francis denies owing the IRS such amounts.

Court papers reveal that three IRS officials met with Francis on Nov. 6 at Mantra’s Santa Monica, Calif., office and delivered tax due notices.

After they left the Mantra offices, IRS officials served notices to levy on Francis accounts at USB Financial Services and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.

Francis attorneys told the court that the levies are invalid because the assessments were not given to the Francis before the levies were made, which the government said is incorrect.

The government said Friday that Francis hasn’t been improperly assessed, hasn’t shown irreparable harm and hasn’t shown the inadequacy of legal remedies.

Francis said the frozen accounts have put him on the brink of bankruptcy and preventing him from running his business.

U.S. District Judge Valerie Baker Fairbank has been assigned the case.

View court doc Joe Francis vs. U.S.

Related:  

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 News

Elegant Angel Debuts James Avalon Drama 'Summer & Joy'

Elegant Angel has released the first installment of the James Avalon-helmed drama "Summer & Joy."

Octavia Red Stars in 'Lipstick on the Glass' From Deeper

Reigning XMAs Girl/Girl Performer of the Year Octavia Red stars with Ashley Lane and Mannie Coco in "Lipstick on the Glass," from Vixen Media Group studio imprint Deeper.

Report: Irish Justice Minister Seeks UK-Style Ban on 'Extreme' Content

Ireland’s justice minister plans to introduce legislation criminalizing possession and distribution of “extreme” pornography, according to a report by the Irish Independent.

Lucy Mochi Makes Her Blacked Debut

Lucy Mochi has made her debut for Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint Blacked, alongside Hollywood Cash, in the studio’s latest release.

Gia Derza Toplines Latest Volume of Pat Myne's 'Gape For Days'

Gia Derza headlines director Pat Myne's "Gape For Days 6," from Evil Angel.

Lovita Fate, Betzz Lead Latest From Immoral Productions

Lovita Fate and Betzz star in a new Immoral Productions trilogy alongside Matt Bird, Rob Hudson, and studio honcho “Porno Dan” Leal.

Lucy Mochi Performs 1st Studio Anal for Brazzers

Lucy Mochi performs her first studio anal scene opposite Scott Nails in the latest Brazzers release, "Fresh and Ready for Anal."

WebGroup Czech Republic Settles Florida AV Suit, Will Pay $1.2 Million

WebGroup Czech Republic (WGCZ), the parent company of XVideos, XNXX, BangBros and GirlsGoneWild, has settled a lawsuit filed by the state of Florida over those sites’ alleged failure to age-verify Florida users before allowing access to adult content.

Blake Blossom, Romi Rain & Ophelia Fae Star in Latest From Girlsway

Blake Blossom, Romi Rain, and Ophelia Fae star in the latest release from Girlsway, titled "Downward Temptation."

Tiffani Time Fronts Latest From Kink.com

Tiffani Time stars with director John Paul “The Pope” in the latest installment of Kink.com’s "Device Bondage" series, titled “Taken Down a Notch.”

Show More