Carole Baskin is getting the last laugh after all!
As you’re likely aware, her tense relationship with Joe Exotic (real name Joseph Allen Maldonado-Passage) was well-documented in Netflix‘s Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, which captured the attention of millions of viewers.
While Joe remains behind bars, Baskin’s Big Cat Rescue Corporation was just granted ownership and control of the G.W. Zoo as part of a trademark judgment against the park’s former owner.
Related: Joe Exotic Sues Feds From Prison, Claims He’s Victim To A Huge Conspiracy!
This new development comes almost seven years after Exotic was first ordered by the courts to pay Baskin $1 million for trademark infringement!
Per Courthouse News, it was ruled on Monday by US District Judge Scott L. Palk in Oklahoma City that Big Cat Rescue had proven Mr. Exotic had fraudulently transferred the zoo to his mother, Shirley M. Schreibvogel, back in 2011 in an attempt to avoid losing the properties to creditors amid his ongoing lawsuits with Carole.
As part of the latest ruling, 58-year-old Baskin has been awarded the 16,439-acre property in Garvin County, Oklahoma, which has been under the care of Jeff Lowe, Joe’s former business partner turned enemy.
Big Cat Rescue, which is based in Florida, was also granted ownership of additional cabins and vehicles on the property. The current occupants and animals have 120 days to vacate the property. Carole could not be reached by any outlet for a comment, so it’s unclear what her big plays for it may be!
Related: Joe Exotic’s Husband Tells All About Tiger King In WILD New Interview
A representative for Mr. Lowe did speak to CNN about the judgment, sharing it was not unexpected:
“We anticipated Carol Baskin getting the title to the former park that once belonged to Joe Exotic, and we did not challenge her attempts to do so. All of Jeff’s focus is on opening the new Tiger King Park in Thackerville, (Oklahoma), which should be opening in the next 120 days.”
Using Joe’s nickname? Ouch!
The controversial doc series star remains behind bars serving a 22-year prison sentence after being convicted on multiple offenses, including two charges of murder-for-hire in a plot against Baskin.
He was also convicted of animal cruelty charges, including the killing of five tigers on his property and the illegal sale of baby lemurs, which paperwork was falsified for.
Thoughts, Perezcious TV lovers? Let us know (below) in the comments!
[Image via Netflix.]