LAS VEGAS, Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In a resounding legal defeat against Las Vegas billionaire Steve Wynn, Girls Gone Wild founder and businessman Joe Francis was exonerated of all criminal charges related to gambling debts he allegedly incurred while gaming at the Wynn Resort in 2007.  

The Las Vegas District Attorney's office filed criminal charges against Francis in a civil complaint over a disputed gambling debt that Francis has denied owing from the beginning.  Today, however, District Court Judge Linda Marie Bell threw the case out of court after finding absolutely no evidence of wrongdoing on Francis's part.  

"I have maintained my innocence in this matter from the start," Francis said.  "I think it is disgusting that Steve Wynn attempted to make this a criminal case. I plan to do everything possible to make sure justice is served in this matter and that I am compensated for the damage that these false charges have caused to my reputation."

Francis was represented by world-renowned attorney David R. Houston who said, "What the judge's order tells us is that this case never should have been filed, and in my opinion, the Wynn Group's heavy-handed approach to collect money from Mr. Francis has failed utterly and completely."  Mr. Houston went on to say, "Mr. Francis has now been exonerated as concerns any criminal charges, as there was not even slight or marginal evidence to suggest he had committed any wrongdoing."

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SOURCE Girls Gone Wild