In the latest development in the ever-evolving Tiger King saga, Carole Baskin is being sued for defamation by a former assistant.
As reported by ABC News, the claimants in the lawsuit include both Baskin‘s former employee Anne McQueen, as well as the three daughters of her former husband Don Lewis.
As we all remember, Lewis disappeared more than two decades ago, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office is still actively working to uncover the truth of what happened to him.
The lawsuit claims that Baskin defamed McQueen in a video diary via YouTube earlier this month, as well as through her website bigcatrescue.org.
The suit states that Baskin alleged McQueen played a part in Lewis’ appearance, and also that she had embezzled money from Baskin.
The suit stated: “Despite contentions to the contrary, the truth has never been explored in any court and there is a good faith basis to believe the truth will open up many viable remedies.”
As well as damages for the alleged defamation, the lawsuit is also seeking a “pure bill of discovery”, which would be used to “identify potential defendants and theories of liability and to obtain information necessary for meeting a condition precedent to filing suit.”
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The defamation lawsuit comes in what is undoubtedly a busy time for Carole Baskin, who is currently competing on Dancing With the Stars in the US.
Off the back of repeated references to Lewis’ disappearance by the show’s judges, Baskin reiterated her innocence in an email to The Associated Press.
“I didn’t kill him or have him killed, so there’s no way I’d associate losing him with that word or concept,” she said.
“Any Tiger King reference to killing or murder is strictly based on the fact that so many animal abusers have tried unsuccessfully to kill me either by rallying their minions or hiring hit men.”
