Wynn Las Vegas prevails in case against ‘Girls Gone Wild’ founder
The Nevada Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a ruling issued two years ago by Clark County District Judge Michelle Leavitt, siding with Wynn Las Vegas in a case against Girls Gone Wild founder Joseph Francis and a $2 million marker.
Francis originally lost the $2 million during a trip from Los Angeles in 2007. The casino tried to collect the marker, before filing a civil lawsuit.
In September 2008, Wynn Las Vegas referred the case to the Clark County District Attorney’s office, which initiated a criminal prosecution for “theft and passing a check with intent to defraud” against Francis.
The criminal charges against Francis were dismissed last month.
When Francis appeared for a deposition in the lawsuit, he invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and refused to answer any questions, including whether he’s married or had ever been to Nevada.
When the casino filed a motion for a summary judgment in May 2009, Francis tried to withdraw his Fifth Amendment answers and reopen the deposition. Leavitt denied his effort to reopen discovery.
In its 19-page ruling, the Nevada Supreme Court said the District Court in Las Vegas did not abuse its discretion by denying Francis’s motion to continue the deposition.