Judge in Reno Won't Stop 'Girls Gone Wild' Trial

Scott Sonner - Associated Press

RENO, Nev. - A federal judge says he won't dismiss charges against a former Nevada sheriff's deputy accused of accepting gifts in exchange for giving preferential treatment to the jailed creator of the "Girls Gone Wild" videos.

U.S. District Judge Larry Hicks denied a defense motion on Wednesday to dismiss the charges against former Washoe County jail Sgt. Michon Mills. The bribery trial is expected to continue Thursday and into Friday.

A Hollywood associate of "Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis has pleaded guilty to a related misdemeanor charge and admitted he provided Mills with a $4,500 Cartier watch and a $5,000 Saks Fifth Avenue gift card.

But the associate, Aaron Weinstein, testified that Mills never considered the gifts a bribe and eventually gave back the unused gift card and unworn watch.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

RENO, Nev. (AP) - A former sheriff's deputy at the Nevada jail where "Girls Gone Wild" video mogul Joe Francis was held a year ago is on trial accused of accepting nearly $10,000 worth of gifts as bribes.

Another deputy testified at the trial in federal court in Reno on Tuesday that ex-jail Sgt. Michon Mills treated Francis better than other inmates while Francis was jailed on U.S. tax charges.

Prosecutors say Mills accepted a $4,500 Cartier watch and a $5,000 Saks Fifth Avenue gift card from a Francis associate who pleaded guilty to a related charge.

Mills says she never got a gift card. Her lawyer says the watch was presented as a Christmas present and she gave it back when she learned its value.

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