'Tiger King' Joe Exotic granted extension in wrongful arrest lawsuit as he doesn't have access to computer
'Tiger King' aka Joe Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, has been granted an extension in his recent lawsuit. The wrongful imprisonment lawsuit was given an extension after the social media sensation claimed that he does not have the tools that would be needed to appeal his conviction.
TMZ reported that the now well-known Joe Exotic wrote a letter on Wednesday to the judge that is presiding over his case. In that letter, Exotic asked for an extension in order to reply to the documents provided by the government in his civil case. The reason for this plea of extension is because the star has been in isolated quarantine while in a federal prison medical center in Texas due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Exotic was put in isolation because it was reported that inmates from the facility that housed him previously had tested positive for the novel virus. While the prison had disputed the claims, Exotic is still in quarantine but has reported to be 'virus-free'
Furthermore, it was reported on Thursday that the star is seeking $89 million with his wrongful imprisonment complaint along with asking for computer access and access to the prison law library. The library would allow him to prep for his response to court documents, as he is unable, as of now, to phone or send/receive emails. “Sorry for the handwritten letter. However, I am being isolated at the Federal Medical Center [in] Fort Worth and have NO access to a computer, phone, email or library [sic] to respond to the government’s last request. I am asking for at least [a] 30-day extension to the deadline of April 28th, 2020 in hopes I am allowed access to use things in order to properly answer their request," Exotic said in his letter. He was, in fact, granted a 30-extension to respond to the government's request.
It was earlier reported by People magazine, that the large-cat zookeeper has filed a lawsuit of $94 million and is looking for $74 million in "loss of personal property, 18 years of research, and the full care of 200 generic tigers and crossbreeds." That is not all, Exotic has also asked for another $15 million for "false arrest, false imprisonment, selective enforcement and the death of his mother."