JOE FRANCIS - FRANCIS ARRESTED

FRANCIS ARRESTED

Adult filmmaker JOE FRANCIS has been arrested in Los Angeles after failing to show up for a court hearing in his ongoing tax evasion case. District Judge S. James Otero issued a warrant for Francis' arrest on Monday (02Feb09) after he remained absent from a scheduled session at the L.A. courthouse.
He finally showed up at the venue five hours late, claiming he was suffering from flu, and was immediately detained by U.S. marshals.
The Girls Gone Wild creator was due to appear before a judge after his legal team from Bernhoft Law Firm submitted a motion to withdraw as his counsel.
Francis is accused of filing a fraudulent tax return worth $20 million (£14 million). He is scheduled to stand trial in March (09) and faces up to 10 years behind bars if convicted.