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Joe Francis pleads not guilty in sexual battery case

By Stone Martindale May 22, 2007, 20:04 GMT

Joe Francis has plead not guilty to one count of alleged misdemeanor sexual battery, a charge stemming from an incident in January when Francis allegedly fondled an 18-year-old against her will. 'Girls Gone Wild' video series producer Joe Francis Francis was charged with sexual battery in Los Angeles on Wednesday, two days after being jailed in Florida in the fallout of another sexually-charged case. REUTERS/Ethan Miller

'Girls Gone Wild' video series producer Joe Francis Francis was charged with sexual battery in Los Angeles on Wednesday, two days after being jailed in Florida in the fallout of another sexually-charged case. REUTERS/Ethan MillerFrancis pleaded-out through his lawyer, Aaron Dyer, in L.A. County Court, reports TMZ.com, while the "Girls Gone Wild" founder is in Oklahoma under the watch of U.S. Marshals. Francis is scheduled to wind up in Reno, Nev., where he'll be arraigned on federal tax evasion charges. TMZ reported in March that Francis was at a birthday party in L.A. when he allegedly touched the teen girl on the breast, buttocks and inner thigh, she allegedly asked him to stop. TMZ reports Francis faces a maximum of six months in jail and a $2,000 fine if convicted.Francis' lawyer, Aaron S. Dyer, gave an exclusive interview with TMZ and said: "The allegations made by the alleged victim claiming she was "touched" are ridiculous. There is absolutely no merit to these charges. Mr. Francis is a successful man in a high profile position, and unfortunately, that makes him a target of people who hope to benefit in some way from attacking him. Mr. Francis isn't going to sit by and put up with these types of baseless attacks. He will vigorously defend himself and take whatever action necessary to clear his name. We believe that the Court or the City Attorney's office will ultimately be convinced to dismiss this matter."

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rebMay 22nd, 2007 - 22:47:35

Peter Pan on steroids, this guy -- Joe-what's-his-name. He's a weak person. What he does to impressionable young women is among the worst of crimes -- worthy of 'To Catch a Predator.' He is degrading and plain sick. I'm sorry, but my opinion? No sympathy. This guy needs to be driven out of business.

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Joe NobodyMay 30th, 2007 - 00:33:06

I used to work in the office of GGW and have seen hour upon hour of footage shot at parties Joe attended where he was doing exactly what he is accused of doing to countless girls, occasionally having the girls who turned down his advances dismissed from whatever bar they were in...he deserves everything he gets this guy.....

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