News | Entertainment
23 Mar 2025 10:43
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Joe Exotic has pledged to commit his life to charity work if he's granted early release from prison

    The 'Tiger King' star - who is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence after being found guilty of a murder-for-hire plot against rival Carole Baskin - isn't due to be released until 2036 but has written to President Donald Trump to request a pardon, and drew parallels to the Commander-in-Chief's own situation after he was granted an unconditional discharge after being found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records, meaning he avoided punishment but is still regarded as a convicted felon


    According to RadarOnline.com, in the letter, the 61-year-old zoo keeper - whose real name is Joseph Maldonado - urged to be released after being in jail for the "last seven years for a crime that I did not commit".

    He added: "Just as the Department of Justice was weaponized against you, it was weaponized against me for nothing more than a political agenda to pass the Big Cat Safety Act and monopolize tigers in America."

    Joe stressed he doesn't need a "full pardon" and would be happy "living out [his] life" as a felon, just as the president is doing.

    He went on to

    The Netflix star makes clear he does not need a "full pardon," and is happy "living out my life" as a felon, as Trump is doing.

    He went on to lament his portrayal on 'Tiger King' and pledged to continue to do good works if he is released.

    He wrote: "Mr. President, what 'Tiger King' the show did to me was as unjust as what the Department of Justice has done to me. No one was shown the hard work I did to grant last wishes for dying children with my foundation called the Animal Miracle Network.

    "No one was shown the hard work I devoted on every Holiday to open my zoo for free and cook a full dinner for hundreds of people who had nowhere to go for the Holidays.

    "If you find it in your heart and in the name of justice to do either, I give you my word on my parent's grave (that I have never seen) that I will make you proud with the charity work I will continue to do for America and dying children in other countries.

    "I have no interest in owning animals again however, I want to work very hard on the conservation of wild tigers and lions and bring some truth to their plight of survival because so many people are lying about them to just raise money for themselves.

    "If you would grant this wish for Valentine Day or my birthday in March of 2025, I promise you and America you won't be disappointed in letting me return to the free world..."

    Joe's lawyer, Levi McCathern, has argued his client's convictions should be overturned because of "inconsistencies" in the case.

    He said: "Joe Exotic did not hire anyone to murder anyone. He was convicted of a murder-for-hire, but there's a problem with that. No one was killed, no one was paid and no one, except for Joe, was ever charged."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     22 Mar: Madelyn Cline "did not know which way was up" after she split from Chase Stokes
     22 Mar: Benny Blanco has become a "true Swiftie"
     22 Mar: Gal Gadot wants to "explore the world" with her family
     22 Mar: Blake Lively has asked a court to dismiss Justin Baldoni's defamation lawsuit
     22 Mar: Kylie Jenner would love to have her own spin-off TV show
     22 Mar: Nina Dobrev is still "a few months away" from being back to full health
     22 Mar: Stephen Graham almost broke Leonardo DiCaprio's leg with a golf cart
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Crusaders coach Rob Penney has explained why Scott Barrett never returned to the field after halftime in the 42-19 Super Rugby win over the Blues at Eden Park More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Wellington seems to be the biggest loser amid a huge rise in house prices More...



     Today's News

    Business:
    Wellington seems to be the biggest loser amid a huge rise in house prices 10:27

    Wellington:
    A person has died after a two vehicle crash on the Wellington Motorway overnight 10:07

    Rugby:
    Crusaders coach Rob Penney has explained why Scott Barrett never returned to the field after halftime in the 42-19 Super Rugby win over the Blues at Eden Park 9:27

    International:
    Hull and Robinson add to Australia's medal tally at world indoor titles 9:27

    Law and Order:
    An Auckland construction figure who allegedly smuggled more than 500 kilograms of methamphetamine inside a shipment of steel beams can now be identified 9:27

    Rugby:
    The Crusaders have proved they're Super Rugby Pacific title contenders after a commanding 42-19 win over the defending champion Blues at Eden Park 8:17

    International:
    How Princess Anne and a London boxer foiled a 1974 kidnap plot 8:07

    Rugby:
    The Waratahs have ended seven years of pain by snapping a 12-match losing streak to the Brumbies with a 28-23 Super Rugby Pacific win in Sydney 8:07

    Politics:
    Keir Starmer has played a key role in the Ukraine crisis and it's helped his standing with British voters 7:57

    Basketball:
    In the New Zealand basketball league, the Canterbury Rams have thrashed the Southland Sharks 120-84 at Cowles Stadium 7:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd