LOS ANGELES — Former Girls Gone Wild mogul Joe Francis faces new contempt charges after he allegedly assaulted and battered individuals at his old headquarters and because he hasn't returned two company vehicles to a bankruptcy trustee.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sandra Klein ordered Francis to explain by next Thursday why he twice entered into Girls Gone Wild's offices in disregard of a preliminary injunction with girlfriend Abbey Wilson and without invitation.
Francis' trips to the Westwood, Calif., offices took place last month after the company was sold by the trustee for $1.825 million to pay off debts.
Francis subsequently was arrested on his second trip to the offices after he threatened employees, refused to leave and pushed Adam Levin, the new vice president of the entity that purchased Girls Gone Wild's assets.
Klein also ordered Francis to explain why he hasn't turned over the vehicles — a 2007 Cadillac Escalade and a 2012 Bentley Flying Spur — to the trustee assigned to the company's Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Klein's order for a written explanation by next Thursday also extends to a Francis-controlled company, Perfect Science Labs LLC. She also has ordered for Francis to appear in court to answer the charges on July 10.
"Mr. Francis and Perfect Science Labs are hereby notified that the possible sanctions sought by the order-to-show cause motion include, without limitation, a penalty of $5,000 per day until the two vehicles are delivered to the trustee; and payment of the trustee’s attorneys fees and costs arising from Mr. Francis’ and Perfect Science Labs' contumacious conduct," Klein said in her order.
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