Photo: Dillon Passage/Instagram; NETFLIX
Dillon Passage is speaking his truth amid his ongoing divorce fromTiger Kingstar,Joseph Maldonado-Passage, a.k.a. “Joe Exotic”.
However, Dillon’s lawyers claim the divorce unfolded quite differently, arguing that Joe is “well known for stretching the truth for personal gain, so we are unsurprised to find him doing the same in his divorce case against our client.”
“Despite Joe’s false claim that Dillon did not attempt to obtain a divorce through legal means, the Kirker Davis Law Firm presented a full and comprehensive settlement agreement to Joe’s lawyer, Francisco Hernandez, on September 3, 2021,” Kirker and Davis said in their statement. “On September 8, 2021, at 4:59 p.m. CST, our office received an email from Joe that said, ‘It will be a cold day in hell before I sign these papers’ and ‘Your out of your f—n mind’ (sic).”
“Given this response and Joe’s revelation shortly after that date that he was fighting cancer, Dillon paused pursuing litigation out of respect for Joe’s health crisis,” Kirker and Davis continued. “Our firm always urges clients to take the high road, and we applauded his compassionate decision. But Dillon now feels compelled to counter the untrue statements that Joe is making publicly.”
“Dillon is eager to efficiently finalize the divorce agreement he proposed in September of 2021,” the lawyers added.
Dillon Passage and Joe Exotic.Joe Exotic/Instagram
After four years of marriage, Joefiled for divorcefrom Dillon on Thursday in Santa Rosa County, Florida.
His lawyer, Autumn Beck Blackledge, told PEOPLE in a statement at the time, “Joe isnearing the end of his cancer treatmentand has fallen in love. He has no ill will toward Dillon, but has been trying for a while to reach him to get a divorce settlement. My understanding is that both Joe and Dillion have moved on romantically and they should both have the freedom to love again free from the bonds of marriage.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Dillon Passage and Joe Exotic.Dillon Passage/Instagram
Joe also expressed his excitement to move forward with his divorce so he can be with Graham. “God works in amazing ways,” he said in the statement.
RELATED VIDEO: Joe Exotic Transferred to North Carolina Medical Facility After ‘Aggressive Cancer’ Diagnosis
Two years into the pair’s marriage, Joe was convicted of orchestrating a murder-for-hire scheme tokill his rivalCarole Baskin. He wasrecently resentenced to 21 years in prisonfor the charge.
Added Dillon, “We are on good terms still and I hope it can stay that way. I will continue to have Joe in my life and do my best to support him while he undergoes further legal battles to better his situation.”
Dillon has since moved on,debuting his new relationshipwith boyfriend John on Instagram in July 2021.
source: people.com
