Tiger King saga’s latest twist gives Joe Exotic’s former zoo to rival Carole Baskin
In the latest twist to the Tiger King saga, the very woman Joe Exotic was convicted of plotting to kill is set to take control of his former zoo in Oklahoma.
A judge ruled Carole Baskin, owner of Big Cat Rescue, a cat sanctuary northwest of Tampa in Hillsborough County, will soon take over Exotic’s property in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, according to People Magazine.
The judge made the ruling in Baskin’s favor, because Exotic’s property transfer to his mother and Jeff Lowe was deemed fraudulent, according to CNN.
TMZ reported Baskin won a $1 million trademark lawsuit against Exotic and his mother years ago, but did not receive any money and the judge’s ruling Monday takes care of that settlement.
According to multiple reports, the court’s order means the Greater Wynnewood Development Group, LLC — the company Exotic previously owned — has to vacate the property in 120 days with removal of all zoo animals. Exotic, real name Joseph Maldonado-Passage, was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison in January for hiring a hitman to kill Baskin, according to NBC News.
A Netflix documentary series, “Tiger King,” was then released in March and quickly became the No. 1 trending show on the streaming service.
