'Gone Wild' founder indicted on gambling charge

[February 03, 2011]  LAS VEGAS (AP) -- A grand jury in Las Vegas has indicted "Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis on charges that he did not paying a $2.5 million gambling debt.

The Clark County district attorney's office said Wednesday that the producer behind the soft porn empire is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 16.

Representatives for Francis did not immediately return a message seeking comment from The Associated Press.

Francis is accused of signing gambling markers, essentially IOUs, at the Wynn Las Vegas casino in February 2007 without being able to repay.

Francis has said he already paid the debt through prior arrangements and accused casino officials of reneging on agreed discounts.

Gambling debts in Nevada are treated as bad checks. Francis is charged with theft and passing a check without sufficient funds.

[Associated Press; By OSKAR GARCIA]

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