Joe Exotic Says Carole Baskin Taking His Zoo Is A 'Tragedy'
Netflix’s hit docuseries Tiger King captured the attention of viewers across the world, sparking up all kinds of internet discussions and Twitter threads. Now, that story is coming to a peak. Tampa owner of Big Cat Rescue, Carole Baskin, will be taking over the metaphorical throne from former zoo owner Joe Exotic following a lawsuit.
In the lawsuit, a federal judge granted Big Cat Rescue CEO Carole Baskin control over the Greater Wynnewood Zoo, previously owned by Joe Exotic, in Oklahoma on Monday.
The decision stemmed from the judge’s determination that the property had been fraudulently transferred from Exotic, formally known as Joseph Maldonado-Passage, to his mother, Shirley Schreibvogel.
The judge decided that the fraudulent transfer was made in an attempt to bypass paying Baskin a settlement in a trademark infringement lawsuit.
According to the official court order posted by Courthouse News, a trust has been imposed to grant Big Cat Rescue Corporation control of the property.
The judge also ordered that Maldonado-Passage's former partner Jeff Lowe, who currently runs the Greater Wynnewood Zoo, must vacate the property within 120 days. All animals currently housed there must be removed from the property as well.
Exotic responded to the ruling on his Twitter page today, now managed by Media Exotic, on Baskin taking control of his zoo.
While Exotic briefly mentioned the ruling, the remainder of the post expanded on his thoughts following the protests currently stretching across the world surrounding the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Carole Baskin taking my zoo is a tragedy. And we'll get to that. But today is a day to stand in solidarity with those that have been hurt, killed, and worse because they're standing up for what they believe in. Stay strong. #blackouttuesday pic.twitter.com/IB0hMVDl5c
"Carole Baskin taking my zoo is a tragedy," wrote Exotic, "And we'll get to that. But today is a day to stand in solidarity with those that have been hurt, killed, and worse because they're standing up for what they believe in. Stay Strong."
Exotic was found guilty in 2019 for plotting to kill Baskin with a hired hitman and was sentenced to 22 years in prison.
According to the FOX 25 report, he is currently being held at a medical center in the Dallas/Fort Worth after being exposed to COVID-19.