Joe Francis apologizes and “deeply regrets” his explosive, expletive-filled rant that made waves yesterday after he was found guilty of falsely imprisoning three women in his Bel Air home.
In a Hollywood Reporter interview, Francis blasted his “mentally [bleeping] retarded” jurors, adding, “every one of you are mentally [bleeping] retarded and you should be euthanized because, as Darwin said, you have naturally selected yourself.”
The “Girls Gone Wild” founder was found guilty Monday of misdemeanor counts of assault and false imprisonment stemming from a dispute with three women after a night out at a Hollywood club in 2011.
Francis sat down with the trade publication the next day and completely went off against his critics, saying “Look at their penis and tell me if it’s small.” He also called hotel mogul Steve Wynn a “piece of [bleep].” (Francis was successfully sued for defamation by Wynn, whom he now owes $20 million.)
“I deeply regret the remarks attributed to me in the interview with the Hollywood Reporter,” he said in a statement after his interview went viral. “They were hurtful and do not reflect my true feelings.”
The 40-year-old, however, believes he’s entirely innocent of the jury’s verdict. “While I disagree with the jury’s verdict as I am completely innocent of the charges and intend to appeal, I was afforded a fair trial, and if I lose at the appellate level, I will reluctantly but fully accept the jury’s verdict.”
He said of his outburst, “All that was publicized were my most intemperate remarks that were borne out of frustration but with no intent to cause anyone harm. I am not, nor have I ever been a violent person.”
Francis added, “I want to apologize to all the jurors, the court, the City Attorney and my attorneys for my comments that were manipulated by the media, and please know I am truly ashamed of my conduct. I am truly, truly sorry. I hope everyone will understand I was not being serious and that I fully and deeply apologize for my remarks.”
Francis also said that the interview was conducted over a 6-hour period, where he “detailed to the reporter all of the evidence and why I believed the evidence showed I am 100% innocent.” He then said that the reporter also interviewed his attorney David Houston for over three hours, but “failed to include one shred of evidence from the trial that proved beyond a reasonable doubt my innocence.”