JOE FRANCIS - FRANCIS FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST FORMER ACCOUNTANT

FRANCIS FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST FORMER ACCOUNTANT

GIRLS GONE WILD founder JOE FRANCIS has filed a lawsuit against his former accountant, accusing him of mishandling company tax reports.
Francis has made millions from his adult DVD series, but alleges his former Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Michael Barrett messed up his firm Mantra Films, Inc.'s books.
In the lawsuit - filed in Los Angeles Superior Court last week (ends25Jul08) - Francis claims Barrett failed to alert him to tax issues and alleges he breached a "duty of loyalty" by not doing so.
Francis also claims Barrett ran an illegal gambling ring off the shore of Costa Rica before he was hired to work for Girls Gone Wild.
The suit adds that Barrett was desperate to claim a $10 million (GBP5 million) reward from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), despite being responsible for preparing, filing and signing tax returns.
Francis is seeking unspecified damages in the case, reports TMZ.com.
As WENN went to press, Barrett could not be reached for comment.