No-go for Joe Exotic: Trump pardon list omits โTiger Kingโ
FILE - In this Aug. 28, 2013, file photo, Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also known as Joe Exotic, is seen at the zoo he used to run in Wynnewood, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)OKLAHOMA CITY โ One name missing in President Donald Trump's flurry of pardons was โTiger Kingโ Joe Exotic. His team was so confident in a pardon that they had readied a celebratory limousine and a hair and wardrobe team to whisk away the zookeeper-turned-reality-TV-star, who is serving a 22-year federal prison sentence in Texas. Maldonado-Passage, who has maintained his innocence, was also sentenced for killing five tigers, selling tiger cubs and falsifying wildlife records. In his pardon application filed in September, Maldonado-Passageโs attorneys argued that he was โrailroaded and betrayedโ by others. The blond mullet-wearing zookeeper, known for his expletive-laden rants on YouTube and a failed 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial campaign, was prominently featured in the popular Netflix documentary โTiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness.โ
โTiger King' star arrested in Travis County, made officers โaware of his social status,โ police say
A star of the Netflix hit series โTiger Kingโ was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated over the weekend and allegedly touted his โsocial statusโ to officers in Travis County. Dillon Passage, husband to the jailed โTiger Kingโ himself Joseph Maldonado-Passage, was stopped while driving a Dodge Challenger around 1:30 a.m. Sunday on U.S. Highway 290 in Manor, according to police. Passage made officers aware of his social status and marriage to famed Joe Maldonado-Passage (Tiger King) on scene of the incident," Manor police said in a statement. He also said that he โmay be a bit intoxicated," according to investigators. His story grew to fame in the Netflix documentary series โTiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness,โ which showed his disdain for Baskin and his obsession with big cats.
Joe Exotic Asks to Be Pardoned, Sends Message to Dillon Passage From Prison: See the Letter (Exclusive)
Joe Exotic is speaking out from prison. The self-described Tiger King sent a three-page letter to podcaster Josh Belcher, asking for it to be read on his show. Belcher read the note on Thursday's episode of Josh Belcher Uncharted, and only ET has photos of the letter Exotic sent from behind bars. Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence after being convicted of plotting a murder-for-hire against Carole Baskin, among other charges. The focus of Exotic's letter is thus more general remarks about how he believes he is wrongfully incarcerated.
Tiger King Star Jeff Lowe Says He Will Leave Zoo a 'Complete Hell' for Carole Baskin (Exclusive)
Carole Baskin may have been awarded Tiger King Park, but current owner Jeff Lowe says it's going to be a real mess when he gives it over. The latest development comes nearly seven years after Exotic was first ordered to pay Baskin $1 million for trademark infringement. "Its always been our intention to leave this place," Lowe said of the Wynnewood location. RELATED CONTENT:Rick Kirkham Accuses Joe Exotic of Animal Abuse in New SpecialNicolas Cage to Play Joe Exotic -- Plus, All the Other 'Tiger King'-Inspired Projects Coming to TV! 'Tiger King' Star Joe Exotic Says He's 'Done' With the 'Carole Baskin Saga' in Jailhouse InterviewCarole Baskin Responds After Being Tricked Into Doing an Interview
Judge gives control of Joe Exotic's zoo to Carole Baskin
FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Santa Rose County Jail in Milton, Fla., shows Joseph Maldonado-Passage, also known as Joe Exotic. A federal judge in Oklahoma has awarded ownership of the zoo made famous in Netflix's Tiger King docuseries to Joe Exotic's rival, Carole Baskin. In a ruling Monday, U.S. District Judge Scott Palk granted control of the Oklahoma zoo that was previously run by Joseph Maldonado-Passage also known as Joe Exotic to Big Cat Rescue Corp. Baskin previously sued Maldonado-Passage for trademark and copyright infringements and won a $1 million civil judgment against him. Palk's judgment Monday found that ownership of the zoo was fraudulently transferred to Maldonado-Passage's mother in an attempt to avoid paying the judgment.
Carole Baskin Wins Control of Joe Exotic's Former Zoo From Jeff Lowe
Carole Baskin is taking over Joe Exotic's former zoo in Wynnewood, Oklahoma. Baskin's Big Cat Rescue Corp. was granted ownership and control of the zoo as part of a trademark judgement against Exotic, the park's former owner, according to multiple reports. The latest development comes nearly seven years after Exotic was first ordered to pay Baskin $1 million for trademark infringement. Baskin's Big Cat Rescue was also granted ownership of several additional cabins and multiple vehicles on the property as well. RELATED CONTENT:Tara Reid Wants to Play 'Tiger King' Star Carole Baskin in Film Adaptation (Exclusive)Carole Baskin Responds After Being Tricked Into Doing an Interview'Tiger King' Star Joe Exotic Says He's 'Done' With the 'Carole Baskin Saga' in Jailhouse Interview