Francis Pleads For Cash Freeze To Be Lifted

GIRLS GONE WILD founder JOE FRANCIS has appealed to a U.S. judge to grant him access to his bank accounts after his assets were frozen when he was slapped with a $34 million (£21.3 million) bill for unpaid taxes.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) bosses filed a lien against the adult filmmaker earlier this month (Nov09), alleging he failed to pay his dues in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
Francis claims federal officials locked down personal accounts containing more than $100 million (£62.5 million) on Tuesday (17Nov09), despite his protests that he owes the IRS nothing.
The troubled star has filed papers in a federal court requesting the ban on his assets be lifted.
In legal papers obtained by TMZ.com, Francis argues the freeze on his two bank accounts has put him on the brink of bankruptcy.