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Joe Francis' Prison Water-gate

Posted Apr 12th 2007 5:44PM by TMZ Staff

"Girls Gone Wild" bad boy Joe Francis has allegedly been found with pills in his Florida jail cell -- and the reason he got caught is because he allegedly tried to bribe a guard for a bottle of water with a $100 bill on Wednesday night.

And get this ...TMZ has also learned that the President of Mantra Films, Scott Barbour, the company that produces "Girls Gone Wild," has also been arrested by the Bay County Sheriff on suspicion of slipping the pills and the cash to Francis. Authorities say Barbour made the handoff when he visited Francis Wednesday night at the jail. Now Barbour is an inmate at the same jail as Francis.

Scott Barbour booking photoWe've confirmed the story The County Press broke, that authoritites searched Francis and found at least three different types of pills -- anti-anxiety meds Aprazolam and Lorazepam, as well as the sleeping med Lunesta.

Francis could be charged with the crime of introducing contraband into a correctional facility, a felony, and possession of a controlled substance.

Calls to reps for Mantra Films were not returned.

Tags: Joe Francis, JoeFrancis

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46. joe, if you read these comment's i hope you go to jail & maybe some one will ask you to show your ass.

Posted at 2:03AM on Apr 13th 2007 by joe russo

47. For the those who may not know, Alprazolam is more commonly known as Xanax, and Lorazepam is a stronger version of Valium.

Posted at 2:40PM on Apr 13th 2007 by Orchew

48. You mean this bozo got nailed on additional charges because he tried to bribe a guard into getting him a bottle of water, with money he knows he's not supposed to have in jail in the firstplace? You mean he actually said something like "hey Mr. Guard, could you please give me a bottle of water; I'll trade you this illegal contraband $100" and then hands the guard the illegal contraband? This guy is not only an arrogant putz, but he's seriously lacking any brain activity. What a bonehead...

Posted at 3:44AM on Apr 13th 2007 by What a bonehead

49. Any guy who makes his millions off the backs of young drunk teenage girls deserves whatever he gets. Just looking at him makes me want to heave!!! I guess hell have to start a new series of videos-"Inmates gone showering"

Posted at 8:38AM on Apr 13th 2007 by Paige

50. I hope he goes to jail for a long time but I guarantee he will get out of this with probation, community service and a big fine because he is rich and a celeb. A lot of stars have broken all kind of laws over and over again how many of them serve time?

Posted at 1:26PM on Apr 13th 2007 by Littlebit

51. Im in the next county over, and you dont want to mess with The Redneck Riveria Sheriffs! What an idiot smuggling drugs in jail?

Posted at 9:06AM on Apr 13th 2007 by bnkrbtch

52. What a stupid idiot

Posted at 9:13AM on Apr 13th 2007 by dina

53. wow totally awesome tell us what you really mean! LOL. He shouldve hid those puppies where the sun dont shine. He'll get used to puttin things up there if he keeps up the antics.

Posted at 9:21AM on Apr 13th 2007 by bnkrbtch

54. My guess is that this moron figures his money and his fame will get him out of prison.... Sad to say but those thoughts are not all that far off, seems to happen all the time. look a snoop dog I mean those charges were pretty big and he got off no problem...

Posted at 10:03AM on Apr 13th 2007 by lissa

55. Joe is crazy like a fox. I just checked Alexa which tracks internet traffic globally for the top 2.5 million internet sites. Traffic for Girls Gone Wild is up 22% while traffic for Guys Gone Wild is up 29% over the past three months. By waiving the bond hearing and staying in jail until April 24th, Joe and Girls Gone Wild remain a headline news story. The additional sales he will make selling DVD's will probably cover all of his costs including settlement payments related to the Florida legal matter. With respect to the IRS, he had to know that was on the horizon. Under current tax law, the IRS would have to make direct inquiries to request the receipts in order to determine that the deductions were bogus prior to seeking an indictment. You don't attach receipts to a tax return. He may have decided to stay in jail so he would not have to post bond. By the time his case is heard on April 24th, his attorneys will be presenting a settlement agreement to the judge. Therefore, no bond will be required. The judge would look for any technical breach of the bond agreement so he would be forced to forfeit that bond. Joe knows this. His arraignment on the tax charges is a full 30 days later in Reno, Nevada. By then he could very well relocate to a country that has no tax treaties or extradition agreements with the U.S. One thing for sure, this story has legs. And Joe's publicity machine is working overtime to capitalize on it.

Posted at 10:38AM on Apr 13th 2007 by Johnny

56. Oh my god Joe is gone??? I'll bet that solves the problem. There will never be anyone to take his place. No one would want his lifestyle. Joe won't do anytime and he is segregated from the population in jail because he is a celebrity. Joe uis sitting back relaxing. Going to jail is no big deal.

Posted at 11:07AM on Apr 13th 2007 by who are you

57. JOE JOE JOE....

THEY KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND THANKS TO YOUR FRIEND PARIS FORGETTING TO PAY HER STORAGE BILL, THEY ALL KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY YOU MADE OFF THE CRIME YOU COMMITTED SO TO THEM, $100 WAS PROBABLY AN INSULT.

WHY ARE YOU SO CHEAP??? YOUR FRUGALITY (IF THAT'S A WORD) IS GETTING YOU INTO ALOT OF TROUBLE - START SPENDING SOME CASH WHERE IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE SPENT INSTEAD OF BUYING BLOW FOR YOUR BUDDIES TO SNORT OFF THE FLOOR IN ST. TROPEZ

Posted at 11:11AM on Apr 13th 2007 by princess the ruler

58. Scott Barbour is the son of Malcom Barbour who is the co-creator of the TV Show, "Cops"

Posted at 11:47AM on Apr 13th 2007 by cody jarrett

59. Nothing is going to happen to this rich brat...stop worrying about him.

Posted at 11:46AM on Apr 13th 2007 by Debra

60. #63, too funny. Here's the link from Florida. He's in deep doo doo for supplying the pills:

http://www.newsherald.com/headlines/article.display.php?a=950

Posted at 11:53AM on Apr 13th 2007 by more weird every day

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