Partner: Francis to turn himself in to U.S. Marshals

“Girls Gone Wild” founder Joe Francis is preparing to turn himself in to the U.S. Marshals Service, a business partner said Sunday.

U.S. District Judge Richard Smoak issued an arrest warrant Thursday for Francis because he had failed to appear the day before in federal court to face a civil contempt order.

Smoak ordered the appearance after finding Francis in contempt for not negotiating in good faith to end a civil lawsuit. Francis is being sued in federal court by seven Bay County girls who say they were taped in sexual situations while underage.

Francis appealed Smoak’s order to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta and was denied.

Now, Francis’ lawyers are negotiating both his arrest and the renewal of mediation talks, said Scott Barbour, president and CEO of Mantra Films, Inc., which produces the “Girls Gone Wild” videos.

Barbour said the attorneys told him Francis was en route to Florida on Sunday, and he expects Francis to turn himself in this morning or Tuesday.

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