Girls Gone Wild's Francis caught with drugs in jail

April 12, 2007

Florida - Girls Gone Wild Founder Joe Francis, locked up in the Bay County Jail in Panama City on a federal contempt of court charges, was caught with drugs in his cell today.

Girls Gone Wild Founder Joe Francis, locked up in the Bay County Jail in Panama City on a federal contempt of court charges, was caught with drugs in his cell today.

WJHG is reporting that Francis is being investigated on allegations of attempted bribery charges, introduction of contraband into a correctional facility and possession of controlled substance.

Francis allegedly tried to bribe a correctional officer with $100 last night for a bottle of water, the TV station said.

This sparked an internal search of his jail cell which reportedly turned up $700 in cash, all in $100 bills, some pills thought to be controlled substances, the station's website said.

Its not yet known how he obtained the cash and drugs in the jail. He has not been formally charged at this point, but the investigation is continuing. Just yesterday Francis reached an agreement on settling a lawsuit with the families of seven girls filmed by Francis' Girls Gone Wild crews during Spring Break 2003 at Panama City Beach.

Also, yesterday Francis learned he had been indicted by a Federal Grand Jury on income tax fraud charges.