Wynn Las Vegas will continue to pursue Francis’ assets
A day after a criminal case stemming from a gambling debt was dismissed against "Girls Gone Wild" producer Joe Francis, a Wynn Las Vegas spokeswoman said the casino will continue to go after Francis' assets to pay off a $2 million civil judgment.
In a prepared statement sent via e-mail Thursday, Wynn director of public relations Deanna Pettit said, "Two years ago, the Nevada District Court issued a judgment of $2 million plus interest and fees in favor of Wynn Las Vegas resulting from Mr. Francis' refusal to pay Wynn Las Vegas markers. That judgment by the Nevada District Court still stands and Wynn Las Vegas will continue its efforts to identify and attach assets of Mr. Francis to satisfy this judgment."
A district judge on Wednesday tossed out theft and fraud charges against Francis because the soft-porn king had enough money in one of his bank accounts to pay the debt when the marker was issued and Wynn waited 16 months to cash the marker, long after the normal business practice of less than six months.
Francis called the dismissal "a total victory" and said he plans on suing Steve Wynn for malicious prosecution.
Earlier, Wynn Las Vegas sued Francis in District Court for $2 million of the original $2.5 million marker, because Francis had paid a portion of the money back.
Francis, who amassed a fortune producing videos of drunken college girls taking off their clothes, countersued, and in September 2009 District Judge Michelle Leavitt ruled in favor of the casino and ordered Francis to pay $2 million plus interest.
He appealed the decision to the Nevada Supreme Court, which has yet to rule.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.
