Francis Free Of $34 Million Claim

GIRLS GONE WILD founder JOE FRANCIS is delighted after discovering tax officials in America have dropped a $34 million (£21.3 million) tax claim against him.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) bosses filed a lien against Francis for the cash in November (09), claiming he fell behind with payments in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

Francis insisted he was baffled by the IRS claim, and was horrified to learn federal officials had locked down personal accounts containing more than $100 million (£62.5 million).

But now the massive claim has been dropped by the IRS, according to TMZ.com.

However, Francis is still facing a number of financial problems - he’s accused of failing to pay back a gambling debt and is also embroiled in a lawsuit against three former employees he alleges tried to embezzle cash from him.