According to the Associated Press, “Girls Gone Wild” creator Joe Francis, 34, just can not seem to stay out of the legal spotlight lately. It has been reported that two Florida women are now suing Francis and his film company for releasing a video of them without their consent.
The Florida women, Brooke Pastolic and Christina Brose, filed the federal lawsuit on Monday in Panama City. They claimed that they were lured on to the “Girls Gone Wild” tour bus with the offer of free clothing and products. Once on the bus, they were given alcoholic drinks, even though both were not 21 or older.
The lawsuit also claims that it was the cameramen’s fault because they encouraged the girls to expose themselves nude and engage and sexual conduct, telling them that none of it would be used as footage in an infamous “Girls Gone Wild” video, reported the Associated Press.
Both Pastolic and Brose claim that the footage of them acting in a sexual manner while aboard the “Girls Gone Wild” tour bus was used without their consent, and if they did somehow give consent, it was not legal because they were drunk or intoxicated by alcohol.
The Associated Press also said that when and where the footage was taken wasn’t stated in the lawsuit. The federal lawsuit also seeks unspecified damages.
In response, Michael Burke, Francis’ Mantra Films Inc’s lawyer, said that crews for “Girls Gone Wild” never serve alcohol and always ask women for ID cards to verify that their of age.
As previously stated, Francis has lately been in the legal spotlight. Right now he is in a Nevada jail for federal tax evasion. For this case, he pleaded not guilty but chose to stay in jail in order to free himself from being sent to a Florida jail over drug possession. He is also currently charged with using minors in sexual performances and conspiring to prostitution, said the Associated Press.
Sources:
The Associated Press. “‘Girls Gone Wild’ creator sued”. USAToday. www.usatoday.com/life/people/2007-06-13-joe-francis_N.htm
