First 2257 Prosecution - Successful For The Government
WASHINGTON — A California business named Girls Gone Wild has pleaded guilty to charges that it failed to create and maintain age and identity documents for performers in sexually explicit films, the Justice Department said Tuesday.
A federal government source said investigations have turned up "many" minors who are shown in Girls Gone Wild productions.
Assistant Attorney General Alice Fisher of the criminal division and U.S. Attorney Gregory Miller of the Northern District of Florida said Santa Monica-based Mantra Films, Inc., also failed to put proper labeling on the DVDs and videotapes it produced and distributed, as required by federal law.
The company entered its plea agreement Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Richard Smoak at U.S. District Court in Panama City, Fla. Girls Gone Wild admitted filming performers and producing and distributing sexually explicit video materials during 2002 and 2003 in violation of federal laws.
Joseph Francis, the founder of the Mantra Films and a related company, MRA Holdings, LLC, agreed to plead guilty to offenses to be filed later in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
The two companies and Francis agreed to pay fines and restitution totaling $2.1 million; $1.6 million are to be paid by Mantra and MRA and $500,000 are to be paid by Francis.
Girls Gone Wild was charged with violations of a law referred to as Section 2257, passed by Congress to prevent the sexual exploitation of children. It protects against the use of minors in the production of sexually explicit material by requiring producers to create and maintain age and identity records for every performer in those types of productions.
"This case sends an important message about the Justice Department's commitment to protecting children from all forms of sexual exploitation," Fisher said in a statement. "Today's agreements ensure that Girls Gone Wild will comply with an important law designed to prevent the sexual exploitation of minors and puts other producers on notice that they must be in compliance as well."
The government will dismiss charges against MRA Holdings after three years if the company abides by all of its obligations under the agreement. MRA Holding also agreed to employ a government-appointed independent, outside monitor to have access to the books and records, production facilities and other locations to make sure Girls Gone Wild — and other companies — are complying with the law.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,213496,00.html
Wow, interesting stuff, i wouldnt have thought a company such as GGW wouldnt have been keeping the records they needed to, especially considering the own an affiliate program, i wonder if this could have any backlash on their affiliate webmasters? I know i certainly wouldnt want to be promoting them right now :eek:
Regards,
Lee
