FRANCIS PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO SEXUAL BATTERY

Last updated: Wednesday, May 23, 2007

FRANCIS PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO SEXUAL BATTERY

LATEST: GIRLS GONE WILD creator JOE FRANCIS has pleaded not guilty to a sexual battery charge relating to a January (07) incident when he allegedly fondled an 18-year-old against her wishes.

JOE FRANCIS

Francis stands accused of touching the woman's breast, buttocks and inner thigh at least 10 times, despite being asked repeatedly to stop.

His plea was read out in Los Angeles County Court yesterday (22May07) by his lawyer.

If found guilty, Francis faces six months in jail and a $2,000 (GBP1,000) fine. He is next due in court on 26 June (07).

According to website TMZ.com, Francis is currently in Oklahoma in the custody of U.S. Marshals, who are transporting him to Reno, Nevada for an arraignment on federal tax evasion charges.

Francis faces up to 10 years in jail and fines of up to $500,000 (GBP250,000) if he is found guilty of those two counts of falsifying tax returns, in which he is alleged to have deliberately understated his income by $1 million (GBP500,000) from 2002 to 2003.

Source: WENN

| Wednesday, May 23, 2007

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FRANCIS PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO SEXUAL BATTERY

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