Joe Francis gets 270 days for assaulting 3 women

Joe Francis, creator of the "Girls Gone Wild" video series, was sentenced to 270 days in jail Tuesday, after having been convicted in May of imprisoning and assaulting three women in his Bel Air, Calif., mansion.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Nancy L. Newman also ordered Francis, 40, to serve 3 years' probation and a year of psychological counseling and attend an anger-management course.

He was taken into custody, but could be released on $250,000 bond pending appeal, the regional City News Service reported.

"Whether a celebrity or not, you will be held accountable for your misdeeds," City Attorney Carmen A. Trutanich said in a statement. "The victims in this case should be commended for their courage in stepping forward and reporting these attacks, and for not being intimidated from seeing this matter through the justice system."

Before sentencing, Francis' attorney had unsuccessfully requested a new trial, saying the women were not credible.

Deputy City Attorney Mitch Fox said Francis met the three women, who were attending a college graduation party at the Hollywood bar/restaurant Supperclub in January 2011, and took one to his limousine. The others followed, later testifying they believed he was dropping them off at their car.

Once they were inside the vehicle, however, driver/bodyguard Vagram Gegdzhyan produced a sheriff's badge and refused to let them out, prosecutors said.

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At Francis' home in a gated community, an altercation ensued in which the video entrepreneur grabbed one woman by the throat and hair and slammed her head repeatedly onto his floor.

He eventually released the women, ordering them not to call police. They called 911 immediately once freed, Fox said.