Criminal Activities of Jeff Lowe

Jeff Lowe's narrative is one of a serial conman and an individual consistently engaged in legal and ethical transgressions, particularly concerning animal welfare. His history culminates in a permanent ban from exhibiting animals, the seizure of his exotic animals, and a disputed role in the manipulation and downfall of Joe Exotic. The legal actions against Jeff Lowe by the Department of Justice underscore a commitment to protecting endangered species and preventing inhumane animal treatment, demonstrating that despite his perceived cunning, Jeff Lowe ultimately faced significant legal consequences for his actions.

Drawing from the following official legal documents and journalistic reports, the following overview details Lowe's history of alleged swindling, animal mistreatment and his role as being eager to volunteer as an federal informant.

Jeff Lowe, The 'Tiger King' Zookeeper Who Swindled Joe Exotic
https://allthatsinteresting.com/jeff-lowe

Office of Public Affairs | Justice Department Ensures Jeffrey and Lauren Lowe Are Permanently Prohibited from Exhibiting Animals and Terminates Their Interests in Seized Animals | United States Department of Justice
https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-ensures-jeffrey-and-lauren-lowe-are-permanently-prohibited-exhibiting

Affidavit of Jeff Lowe from Tiger King
https://floridajustice.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/180-4.pdf

1. Jeff Lowe's History as a Conman and Petty Criminal

Jeff Lowe has a documented history of criminal activity and a reputation as a swindler, predating his involvement with Joe Exotic.

• Early Animal-Related Incidents: Lowe's involvement with big cats began early, marked by problematic incidents. In 1988, his cougar Rambo escaped and killed a neighbor's dog, leading to the animal's death. Less than a year later, Lowe was mauled by another cougar, requiring 40 stitches. In 1990, a 325-pound lion named Rajah escaped from his property after local authorities had reluctantly granted him permission to keep it.
• Trademark Infringement: In 2007, Lowe was sued by Prince for allegedly selling merchandise with the singer’s trademarked symbol, falsely claiming to have worked for Prince.
• Mail Fraud: In 2008, Lowe pleaded guilty to federal mail fraud for attempting to obtain $1 million worth of merchandise by claiming to work for the Citizens Opposed to Domestic Abuse charity, intending to resell the goods.
• Illegal Big Cat Exhibitions: Before meeting Joe Exotic, Lowe made money by offering private rides with tiger cubs to Las Vegas tourists on a party bus. These cubs were reportedly suffering from "diarrhea, urinary tract infections, Giardia, and malnutrition." This venture led to his arrest and a $10,000 restitution payment.
• Swindling Joe Exotic: Lowe presented himself as a multimillionaire to Joe Exotic, offering to save his financially struggling G.W. Zoo after Exotic faced a $1 million judgment from a lawsuit with Carole Baskin. Lowe "courted Exotic by taking him to the mansion he lived in, letting him sit in all the sports cars he kept at his house, and generally touting him around in his flashy lifestyle." Exotic ultimately signed over ownership of the entire operation to Lowe.

2. Lowe's Role as a Federal Informant and Involvement in the Murder-for-Hire Plot

Jeff Lowe played a significant, albeit disputed, role in the federal investigation that led to Joe Exotic's conviction for a murder-for-hire plot against Carole Baskin. Lowe’s affidavit details his collaboration with federal agents and claims of being directed by them.

• Initial Involvement:  Jeff Lowe sought help in organizing a murder for hire plot. Garretson and Lowe were both offered roles as FBI informants.
• Lowe's Alleged Incitement: Garretson stated that Lowe "started showing me easy ways to kill [Baskin]" and that Lowe allegedly pulled up a map of Baskin’s property and showed Exotic her regular bike paths and home images. Garretson also claimed Lowe instructed him to call Baskin to inquire about buying G.W. Zoo behind Exotic's back, offering $100,000 for success.
• Collaboration with Federal Agents (Lowe's Account): Lowe's affidavit reveals extensive collaboration with FBI Agent Matthew Bryant. Lowe claims he became aware in September 2017 that James Garretson was an undercover informant. He states that Agent Bryant and other federal agents told him "the elements we needed to meet and the overt acts we needed proof of in order to convict Joseph Maldonado-Passage on wildlife and murder for hire charges."
• Staged Evidence and Directions: Lowe claims text messages between him and Alan Glover regarding the murder for hire were "created by me and staged" at the direction of Agent Bryant "in an effort to help re-facilitate charges." Lowe also states that Bryant directed him to record telephone calls with Maldonado-Passage to provide information that Bryant needed "to prove the murder for hire plan."
• Denial of Direct Involvement: Despite Garretson's claims, Lowe "has consistently denied any involvement in the plot," and was never called to testify in Exotic's trial.
• Post-Conviction Statement: Lowe publicly stated, "I will always believe that our biggest contribution to the animal kingdom was helping the feds take down monsters like Joe Exotic and Tim Stark."

3. Animal Welfare Violations and Permanent Prohibition

Jeff Lowe and his wife, Lauren Lowe have been permanently prohibited from exhibiting animals due to severe and recurring animal welfare violations.

• USDA Inspections and Violations: In November 2020, the Department of Justice filed a complaint against the Lowes for violating the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Starting in June 2020, USDA APHIS inspectors found numerous animals at both Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park and Tiger King Park in "poor health and living in substandard conditions."
• License Suspension and Termination: The USDA suspended Jeffrey Lowe's AWA exhibitor's license, and Lowe "then unilaterally terminated his license." Despite this, the Lowes continued to exhibit animals both in person and online.
• Specific Violations: The Lowes "did not provide timely and adequate veterinary care or nutrition, failed to maintain safe and sanitary conditions and housed animals in enclosures which were too small and exposed to the elements."
• Seizure of Animals: January 2021: A preliminary injunction required the Lowes to relinquish all big cat cubs under one year old and their mothers.
• May 2021: After the Lowes violated the injunction by breeding animals and failing to provide records, civil seizure warrants were executed, and 68 Big Cats and one jaguar were taken.
• August 2021: The Lowes agreed to abandon their remaining animals at Tiger King Park, leading to the seizure of 11 endangered lemurs and 41 other animals.
• Consent Decree and Default Judgment (January 2022): The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma issued a consent decree permanently prohibiting Jeffrey and Lauren Lowe from exhibiting animals. It also terminated their interests in 97 endangered or threatened animals seized and affirmed the abandonment of 41 AWA-covered animals. A default judgment against their entities, Tiger King LLC and Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park LLC, enforced similar prohibitions and transferred seized animals to licensed facilities.
• DOJ Statement: Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim stated, "This consent decree ensures that the animals mistreated and endangered by the Lowes will be moved to a safe home in AWA-licensed facilities and prohibits the Lowes from exhibiting live animals again."

4. Post-Tiger King Legal Troubles and Personal Conduct

Even after the Netflix series, Jeff Lowe continues to face legal issues and exhibits controversial behavior.

• DUIs: In June 2021, Lowe and his wife Lauren were arrested for DUIs.
• Eviction: In October 2021, Lowe was evicted from Tiger King Park due to "unpaid rent and other damages."
• Failed Business Ventures: Lowe's attempt to build a new zoo with Tim Stark (another Tiger King personality) on the Texas border quickly soured, with Stark claiming Lowe "used him to foot most of the expenses before Lowe gave him the boot."
• Public Persona: Lowe's response to his portrayal in Tiger King has been one of negative publicity despite constantly begging for public approval and media attention.