Phoenix [from www.adultbizlaw.com ] – A federal judge in Reno has loosened the legal leash on “Girls Gone Wild” founder Joe Francis, but not enough to allow the soft porn filmmaker to attend an adult industry conference this weekend in Phoenix.

U.S. Magistrate Robert McQuaid denied a motion by Francis’ lawyers seeking permission for him to attend the Phoenix Forum, a conference geared toward adult entertainment businesses.

“Girls Gone Wild” is a co-sponsor of the event that runs Thursday through Saturday.

Francis has been restricted to traveling between Southern California and Reno since March 10, when after nearly a year in jail, he was freed on bail pending his trial on federal tax fraud charges.

In his ruling this week, however, McQuaid did extend Francis’ travel sphere to include San Francisco, so he can confer with his lawyers.