Joe Francis, founder of 'Girls Gone Wild', arrested for failing to attend a court hearing in a tax evasion case, was released from federal custody on Tuesday, a day after his arrest, provided his doctor could provide evidence Francis was far too sick to make an appearance in court Monday. In a statement issued after his release, Francis claimed he was down with the flu, and unsuccessfully sought a delay in Monday's hearing.

Ordering his release, U. S. District Judge S. James Otero has placed Francis under house arrest and electronic monitoring, till his next hearing on 11th February.

The sales from 'Girls Gone Wild' videos that show young women baring their breasts at parties with free-flowing alcohol, made Francis a multi-millionaire. However, Francis who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of federal tax evasion, faces up to 10-years in prison, if convicted of tax evasion.

His trial is scheduled to begin in March.