Francis Sued Over Nightclub Fight

Model JAYDE NICOLE has added to JOE FRANCIS’ legal woes - she’s suing the GIRLS GONE WILD founder for $1 million (£666,700) over an alleged bar brawl.

Nicole, the girlfriend of U.S. reality TV star Brody Jenner, claims “an intoxicated and uncontrollable” Francis attacked her in Los Angeles nightclub Guys & Dolls in July (09).

She insists Francis, “who weighs over 200 lbs, physically attacked plaintiff Nicole, approximately 115 lbs, by pulling on her hair from behind to gain maximum control over her person and then violently shoving and/or throwing her to the ground of the nightclub like a rag-doll.”

Nicole claims she suffered a “black-eye, swollen face, bruised ribs, sore and bruised abdomen region, bruised arms and legs, ripped-out hair, and utter emotional distress and humiliation” as a result of the encounter, and is suing for $1 million plus punitive damages.

Francis has responded, calling his accuser “an absolute and total liar” and suggesting her remarks are “not only slanderous and defamatory, but actionable”.

He tells TMZ.com, “Jayde, have you seen a picture of me lately? I’m 175 pounds soaking wet.”

The Girls Gone Wild creator insists he was the victim of the attack and surveillance camera footage will back up his side of the story.

The adult filmmaker escaped a prison sentence in a tax evasion trial after striking a plea deal with Los Angeles prosecutors earlier this week (beg21Sep09) and he’s also embroiled in a lawsuit against three former employees he claims tried to embezzle cash from him.

Francis is also under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for the altercation with Nicole.