The company that produces the "Girls Gone Wild" tapes of young women baring their breasts and acting in other sexual situations pleaded guilty in Florida Tuesday to federal charges and agreed to pay fines totaling $2.1 million.

Mantra Films Inc., based in Santa Monica, Calif., made the plea in U.S. District Court in Florida on charges of failing to maintain proof of age and identification for its young performers in sexually explicit films. It also failed to label its DVDs and videotapes properly as required by federal law.

The two companies and their founder, Joseph Francis, will pay $2.1 million in fines and restitution, the Justice Department said.

"My companies and I acknowledge that what we did was wrong and violated federal laws," Francis said in a statement filed in court. "We also acknowledge that as a result of these violations, footage of minors engaged in actual sexually explicit conduct appeared in at least two DVDs that were commercially released for sale to the public."

Separate state charges in Florida alleging that two 17-year-old girls were videotaped by a "Girls Gone Wild" cameraman in sexual situations remain pending against Mantra and Francis.

"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," said Assistant Attorney General Alice Fisher.

Joe Francis got busted financially. It's just a matter of time on whether he will be busted criminally or not.

¶ 9/13/2006 06:56:00 AM