imported>DameDaNeDameYo
Improved article by expanding on his crimes and adding quotes that showcase his villainous side
imported>DameDaNeDameYo
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Become Governor of Oklahoma (Failed)
Become Governor of Oklahoma (Failed)
|crimes = [[Cruelty to animals]]<br>Conspiracy to [[murder]]<br>Involuntary manslaughter<br>Extortion<br>[[Domestic Abuse|Domestic abuse]]
|crimes = [[Cruelty to animals]]<br>Conspiracy to [[murder]]<br>Involuntary manslaughter<br>Extortion<br>[[Domestic Abuse|Domestic abuse]]
|hobby =Buy and sell tigers<br>Bossing his employees around<br>Insulting Carol Baskin |skills = Big Cat Breeding, Manipulation}}{{Quote|If they don't wanna walk... pop them in the ass and make them walk!|Joe Exotic instructing his employees to abuse tigers}}'''Joseph Allen Maldonado-Passage (né Schreibvogel;''' born March 5, 1963), better known as '''Joe Exotic''', is an American former zoo operator and convicted felon. The former owner and operator of the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park (a.k.a. G. W. Zoo) in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, Exotic had claimed to be the most prolific breeder of tigers in the United States. He twice unsuccessfully ran for public office, first for President of the United States in 2016 as an independent, and then for Governor of Oklahoma in 2018 as a Libertarian.
|hobby =Buy and sell tigers<br>Bossing his employees around<br>Insulting Carol Baskin |skills = Big Cat Breeding, Manipulation}}{{Quote|If they don't wanna walk, pop them in the ass and make them walk!|Joe Exotic instructing his employees to abuse tigers}}'''Joseph Allen Maldonado-Passage (né Schreibvogel;''' born March 5, 1963), better known as '''Joe Exotic''', is an American former zoo operator and convicted felon. The former owner and operator of the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park (a.k.a. G. W. Zoo) in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, Exotic had claimed to be the most prolific breeder of tigers in the United States. He twice unsuccessfully ran for public office, first for President of the United States in 2016 as an independent, and then for Governor of Oklahoma in 2018 as a Libertarian.


In 2019, Exotic was convicted on 17 federal charges of animal abuse (eight violations of the Lacey Act and nine of the Endangered Species Act) and two counts of murder for hire, for a plot to kill Big Cat Rescue CEO Carole Baskin, with whom he had a completed rivalry. He is serving a 17-21 year sentence in federal prison. Well known for his eccentric and dynamic personality, Exotic is one of the most controversial zookeepers in history. He has been subject to substantial criticism, especially for the controversies surrounding his feud with Baskin and the treatment of animals at the G.W. Zoo. Some former zookeepers who worked with him claimed that Exotic lost the love for animals towards the end of his zookeeping career.
In 2019, Exotic was convicted on 17 federal charges of animal abuse (eight violations of the Lacey Act and nine of the Endangered Species Act) and two counts of murder for hire, for a plot to kill Big Cat Rescue CEO Carole Baskin, with whom he had a completed rivalry. He is serving a 17-21 year sentence in federal prison. Well known for his eccentric and dynamic personality, Exotic is one of the most controversial zookeepers in history. He has been subject to substantial criticism, especially for the controversies surrounding his feud with Baskin and the treatment of animals at the G.W. Zoo. Some former zookeepers who worked with him claimed that Exotic lost the love for animals towards the end of his zookeeping career.
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==Crimes==
==Crimes==
===Animal abuse claims and USDA violations===
===Animal abuse claims and USDA violations===
In February 1999, animal welfare investigators discovered a large number of neglected emus in Red Oak, Texas, and Exotic volunteered to capture the animals and take them to his animal park. However, Exotic, local volunteers, and Red Oak police were quickly overwhelmed by the task of corralling the large and fast-running birds, several of which died. Exotic and another man resorted to killing emus with shotguns and were accused of animal cruelty by police. However, since the emus were considered livestock, they could lawfully be killed humanely in Texas, and a grand jury declined to indict Exotic. Most surviving birds ultimately wound up at Texas ranches.[[File:Taliger at G.W. Park.jpg|thumb|A group of big cats at Exotic's zoo, including a Taliger. To feed his large amount of big cats, Exotic shot horses and fed their remains to the tigers. He also fed them expired Walmart meat.]]In 2000, to feed his growing zoo of big cats, he took in horses that were donated to him. He would shoot the horses and feed them whole to the tigers, lions, and other big cats.
In February 1999, animal welfare investigators discovered a large number of neglected emus in Red Oak, Texas, and Exotic volunteered to capture the animals and take them to his animal park. However, Exotic, local volunteers, and Red Oak police were quickly overwhelmed by the task of corralling the large and fast-running birds, several of which died. Exotic and another man resorted to killing emus with shotguns and were accused of animal cruelty by police. However, since the emus were considered livestock, they could lawfully be killed humanely in Texas, and a grand jury declined to indict Exotic. Most surviving birds ultimately wound up at Texas ranches.[[File:Taliger at G.W. Park.jpg|thumb|A group of big cats at Exotic's zoo, including a Taliger. To feed his large amount of big cats, Exotic shot horses and fed their remains to the tigers. He also fed them expired Walmart meat.|250x250px]]In 2000, to feed his growing zoo of big cats, he took in horses that were donated to him. He would shoot the horses and feed them whole to the tigers, lions, and other big cats.


Due to the amount of exotic animals at his zoo, Exotic found feeding them all to be expensive. To help offset the cost, Exotic fed them expired meat from Walmart. Employees at the zoo also ate this expired Walmart meat, and also used the expired meat to make pizzas.
Due to the amount of exotic animals at his zoo, Exotic found feeding them all to be expensive. To help offset the cost, Exotic fed them expired meat from Walmart. Employees at the zoo also ate this expired Walmart meat, and also used the expired meat to make pizzas.