Questionable Witnesses

There are significant concerns regarding witness credibility and motivation in US v. Maldonado-Passage, suggesting that key testimonies were influenced by personal bias, potential rewards, coercion, and that the investigative methods employed by Agent Matthew Bryant (US Fish and Wildlife Agent) enabled and exacerbated these issues, constituting numerous acts of investigation misconduct.

I. General Credibility and Motivation Concerns

The foundation of the Joe Exotic case relies heavily on information gathered from witnesses and Confidential Human Sources (CHS) whose credibility is repeatedly described as "dubious". There are multiple red flags indicating these witnesses are not truthful, have their own agendas, and hold deep grudges against Maldonado.

Multiple individuals involved in providing information against Maldonado-Passage demonstrated clear animus:

• Jeff Lowe desperately wanted Maldonado to go down. He sought full ownership of the park and wanted Maldonado-Passage off the property by any means necessary. It was suggested that it behooved Lowe to get rid of Maldonado by making up or embellishing stories.

• Allen Glover (the alleged hitman) openly stated that he hated Maldonado and had an extreme prejudice against him.

• James Garretson used various fake identities, such as Justin Horner and Jackie Chan, to secure loans, credit cards, and vehicles and was recorded coaching others in credit card fraud.

James Garretson Identity Theft.pdf

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• Dr. JoAnn Green (the veterinarian) admitted to fraud, agreed to sign off on things that were untrue, and was concerned Maldonado would blackmail her. Lowe's affidavit later stated that Agent Bryant told him Dr. Green was "obsessed with taking Joe down" and had a photo of him with a bullseye on it in her office.

• Chealsi Putnam stated, "I have been trying to get joe in trouble for years and years".

• Other park staff (like John Reinke) frequently heard Maldonado talk about harming Carole Baskin and dismissed it as frustrated talk. Similarly, John Finlay confirmed Maldonado was joking and was not serious about killing Baskin.