Girls creator sued over footage
2007-06-14 11:01
Panama City - Two Florida women have sued Girls Gone Wild creator Joe Francis and his film company, alleging a sexually explicit video was released without their consent.
In the federal lawsuit filed on Monday in Panama City, Brooke Pastolic and Christina Brose said they were enticed to board a Girls Gone Wild tour bus with the promise of free clothing. Once onboard, they allegedly were given alcoholic drinks even though both were younger than 21.
According to the lawsuit, the cameramen then coerced the women into exposing themselves and engaging in sexual activities, but repeatedly stated they would not use footage in a video. However, the footage appeared on two separate Girls Gone Wild DVDs.
The women claim the footage was used without their consent, and if they did give consent, it was obtained illegally by Girls Gone Wild representatives giving them alcohol.
Women exposing breasts for the camera
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.
Francis makes a reported $29m a year on videos of women found at beach parties and other occasions exposing their breasts for the camera.
Girls Gone Wild crews do not serve alcohol on their tour buses and ask women for identification to verify their age, Michael Burke, attorney for Francis' Mantra Films Inc, told The News Herald.
Francis, 34, remains in a Nevada jail on federal tax evasion charges. He was granted bail after pleading not guilty in that case, but stayed in jail to avoid the possibility of being sent to Florida to be arrested on charges of possessing contraband and drugs while in the Bay County Jail in May.
He is also charged in Florida with using minors in sexual performances, conspiring to use minors in sexual performances and prostitution.
- AP