The star of the Netflix cult hit show "Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness," is suing a former business partner and the feds who put him behind bars, filing a $94 million lawsuit from behind bars.
According to legal documents obtained by ET, Joe "Exotic" Maldonado-Passage the “star" of the bizarre show is targeting the U.S. Federal Wildlife Service as well as Jeff Low.
The former big-cat breeder and roadside zoo operator was put behind bars in April last year on charges of murder-for-hire against an animal rights activist. He was also slapped with 17 federal wildlife charges, which included killing five endangered tigers.
Exotic is now asking the FWS for $78,840,000 for loss of personal property as well as losing nearly 20 years of "research and care of 200 generic tigers and cross-breeds for 365 days a year."
He is claiming the agency deliberately put tigers on the endangered species list "for the sole purpose of allowing animal rights groups to sue small zoos and circuses" and to make "privately owned tigers extinct," per New York Post.
He claims the FWS was acting under pressure from animal rights activists, which equates to "stealing my property and promoting an animal rights agenda."
Exotic is further seeking $15 million in damages from Lowe for reportedly planting evidence and lying to the government, the stress of which ultimately led to the death of Exotic’s mother.
Exotic is a self-described gay polygamist who once ran for governor of Oklahoma and now wants a presidential pardon.
"This lawsuit has been filed in the name of justice, the Trump administration must be made aware of the overreach, perjury, abuse of power and the failure to uphold the oath of their position which is truth and justice for all," Exotic said in a statement posted to Facebook on March 19.
"The Agencies and its counter parts have abused the system for a private agenda," he continued.
"I have been illegally charged with these crimes and the Trump administration, the United States Department of Interior along with the Federal Wildlife service must be held accountable for what they have done to me, my parents and my family, along with my animals."
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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