Once at the helm of a late-night video empire that became a cultural phenomenon in the late 1990s and early 1990s, is the controversial figure behind it Girls gone wild Franchise is now a man in exile.

Joe Francis, featured in the Peacock exclusive Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story Stream now, raked in millions for his less than wholesome videos in which young (often drunk) spring breakers bared their breasts for cameras. But “what was really happening beneath the surface was much darker, including allegations of sexual coercion and exploitation,” the series’ official description says.

Girls gone wild gained a cult following, polarizing the masses while simultaneously making Francis a cause célèbre figure who mingled with Hollywood’s elite.

But legal troubles seemed to follow Francis wherever he went, and he fled the country in 2015. As state law enforcement continues to pursue justice, he took part in an interview with reporter Scaachi Koul, giving his first “in-depth, personal and on-the-record interview” in nearly a decade, excerpts of which are featured here in the new series, now on Peacock can be seen.

Read on to learn more about Joe Francis, his alleged crimes, and his whereabouts today.

Who is Joe Francis?

According to his official website in 2012, the 51-year-old entrepreneur was born in Atlanta, Georgia and grew up in Laguna Beach, California with his three sisters. Because of his fascination with “the complexities and challenges of business,” he enrolled in the entrepreneurship program at the University of Southern California, graduating in 1995.

He soon found a job as a production assistant Real TVa mid-90s syndicated reality TV program using home video footage not found in mainstream media, a few years before the World Wide Web became a household topic. He noted that content that was “too disturbing to broadcast” was becoming increasingly popular among his colleagues. This is how he conceived Banned from televisiona VHS tape advertised on late night cable.

According to his website, Francis “accidentally” came across the “playful, joyous nudity” of Spring Break revelers in Lake Havasu who were arrested for their antics and recognized its market value. Capturing footage of Banned from television, He produced a compilation that would eventually become one Girls gone wild which was officially introduced in 1997, according to People.

“Flashing for the camera is a kind of liberation for them,” Francis had explained. “It’s an expression of freedom, a sign of independence and, frankly, a matter of pride.”

Girls gone wildDirect response marketing has expanded to pay-per-view TV, video-on-demand and other platforms. Meanwhile, Francis purchased multimillion-dollar tour buses that served as “rolling billboards,” which at the height of its success took the brand to more than 700 live events per year and room to interact with tens of thousands of college-age students created consumers, according to its website.

Accordingly, Francis began dating Abbey Wilson, with whom he fathered two twin girls in 2014 PEOPLE.

Girls gone wildAccording to the Peacock series description, Paul’s “shocking influence” on the millennium seemed inevitable to those who lived it.

What legal problems did Joe Francis face?

As seen in Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Storyis the official trailerFrancis’ success was associated with many scandals.

His 2003 Girls gone wild The event in Panama City Beach, Florida, led to a heated argument between Francis and Florida politicians. Law enforcement cracked down on the rowdy crowds it attracted, and Francis even complained that such restrictions hindered filming and therefore trampled on his First Amendment right to free speech, they say The New York Times.

A father alleged that his underage daughter was filmed in a shower scene, the reported NYT, and when authorities seized Francis’ private jet, they claimed to have found cocaine on board (the latter claim was later deemed unsubstantiated). Ultimately, Francis was charged with over 70 counts of racketeering, drug trafficking, prostitution and promoting the sexual performance of children. All but six of these charges were later dismissed.

Five women and two 17-year-old girls from the Panama City Beach event also sued Francis in civil court, and multiple contempt charges followed amid Francis’ alleged lack of cooperation, per The New York Times. While behind bars, he was charged with smuggling for allegedly smuggling sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medication and $700 in cash.

The civil case was settled.

Because of the criminal child abuse and prostitution charges, Francis entered a “no contest” plea in 2008 that allowed him to walk free after nearly a year behind bars, they say The Los Angeles Times. As part of the deal, he also pleaded guilty to smuggling charges.

“I have never committed a crime. I pleaded guilty just to get out of prison,” Francis claimed after the hearing. “A few corrupt individuals were able to keep an innocent man in prison for 11 months.”

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Francis continued to face federal tax evasion charges dating back to 2007. A Reno-based grand jury indicted him for deducting “more than $20 million in false business expenses on the companies’ 2002 and 2003 corporate tax returns.”

He faced up to 10 years in prison on the federal charge that Francis hid $15 million in offshore accounts. He pleaded not guilty and shifted the blame to a former accountant Forbes.

On September 10, 2012, Francis was ordered to pay $20 million in punitive damages to billionaire Las Vegas developer Steve Wynn after the case was heard by a jury in Los Angeles ABC News. The decision came about six months after a Nevada judge ordered Francis to pay $7.5 million after Wynn accused him of defamation.

A significant portion of the lawsuit stemmed from an interview Francis gave Good morning America when he claimed the casino mogul allegedly threatened via email to kill Francis with a shovel and bury him in the desert – all over alleged gambling debts.

In 2013, Francis was found guilty of aggravated assault and false imprisonment charges and sentenced to 270 days in jail plus three years probation stemming from a 2011 incident involving three women. Accordingly The Los Angeles TimesFrancis met the women at the supper club in Hollywood and took them to his limousine.

Inside the vehicle, Francis and his driver allegedly produced fake police identification cards before taking them to Francis’ home. There, Francis allegedly attacked one of the women by grabbing her by the throat and slamming her head on the ground. The victims said he “threatened the women if they called the police,” the LA outlet reported.

By 2014, Francis filed for bankruptcy (which was seen as a way to deter Wynn from his legal success), they say The Hollywood Reporter. However, federal agents issued an arrest warrant when he allegedly failed to produce two luxury cars, violating the terms of his bankruptcy agreement.

Until 2015, Francis lived in Mexico, where he could not be extradited due to civil proceedings.

According to Francis’ official website, the stunning property has been a popular destination for many celebrities including the Kardashians, Jennifer Aniston, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and many more. However, as reported by PEOPLEFrancis lost his right to benefit from the resort until he could repay the millions he had spent maintaining Casa Aramara.

In 2021, Francis spent over $1 million on repairs after 20 percent of the home was destroyed by electrocution, as reported by TMZ. That same year, Francis took to Instagram and accused his ex Abbey Wilson of molesting their twin daughters – claims that were never substantiated.

Wilson also accused Francis of failing to pay child support TMZ.

Learn more about Joe Francis’ “amazing and far-reaching report” in the three-part series Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Storynow available to stream on Peacock.