A $2 million gambling marker is the source of four lawsuits between Wynn Las Vegas and Joe Francis, the founder of “Girls Gone Wild.” In the flurry of litigation, Wynn accuses Francis of failing to pay the gambling debt, which he incurred during a visit to the casino in 2007. For his part, Francis is suing Wynn Las Vegas LLC, the casino’s parent company, for allegedly instigating a malicious criminal prosecution against him.
Wynn’s first lawsuit related to the debt reached the Nevada Supreme Court, which in October upheld a $2 million judgment against Francis. The following month, Francis fought back with a suit in federal court. That suit alleges abuse of process, malicious prosecution and conspiracy related to a criminal investigation into the debt, as well as defamation.
That was not the end of the litigation over the matter. Wynn Las Vegas and company founder Steve Wynn also sued Francis for defamation. That case ended in February with the court ordering Francis to pay $7.5 million, but Francis’ attorney says his client would appeal. Now comes Wynn’s latest suit, an attempt to get the court to issue a writ of garnishment and a writ of attachment. Such court orders prevent those with a debt from selling, moving or transferring assets in an attempt to avoid repayment.
The Clark County District Court judge presiding over the latest lawsuit issued a “prejudgment writ of attachment,” though it was not clear to what Francis’ property the writ was attached. It does not look like these cases will be resolved anytime soon.
Source: VEGAS INC, “Wynn moves to garnish assets of ‘Girls Gone Wild’ founder,” Steve Green, April 20, 2012
