Joe Exotic Appeals for Pardon in Letter to Matt Gaetz

Joseph Maldonado, popularly known as «Joe Exotic,» has penned a letter from jail to Matt Gaetz, a former congressman from Florida, seeking assistance for a presidential pardon. Maldonado is currently serving a 21-year sentence in Fort Worth, Texas, for a murder-for-hire plot and violations of the Endangered Species Act.

This development follows Gaetz’s nomination by President-elect Donald Trump for the position of U.S. attorney general. In his correspondence, Maldonado congratulated Gaetz on his appointment and asserted that «no one else is better for the job,» while maintaining his innocence and asking Gaetz to help facilitate his release. «You will have the power to correct this or at least recommend to President Trump to correct this in January of 2025,» wrote Maldonado.

Maldonado also demonstrated interest in becoming the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in addition to expressing personal matters, such as his plan to marry a Mexican national seeking asylum.

The request for a pardon is not Maldonado’s first attempt; during Trump’s previous administration, he sought but did not receive a pardon. The letter to Gaetz included an aspiration to testify before Congress regarding issues within the American prison system.

Gaetz has previously voiced support for Maldonado, even humorously suggesting to consider him as a running mate during a hypothetical presidential run. It should be noted, however, that the power to pardon is vested solely with the president.