New York, U.S.A. — Donald Trump’s Miss Universe Organization secured a decisive victory in its defamation suit against the former Miss Pennsylvania USA contestant who publicly accused the Organization of rigging the results of the Miss USA pageant.  Earlier this year, after failing to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the nationally televised Miss USA pageant, Sheena Monnin, the contestant from Pennsylvania, began a slanderous campaign alleging that the results of the pageant were pre-determined. These allegations have now been legally discredited.

In the days after the pageant Monnin made several damaging public comments asserting she had irrefutable proof the pageant was rigged, and that she would not be deterred in her “quest for the truth.” Despite this claim, Monnin refused offers by the Miss Universe Organization to demonstrate the integrity of the voting process, instead choosing to seek publicity through national media outlets.  In response, the Miss Universe Organization filed an arbitration action in New York.

Pageant owner, Donald Trump, called Monnin’s actions “disgraceful” and added “we cannot allow a disgruntled contestant to make false and reckless statements which are damaging to the many people who have devoted their hearts and souls to the “Miss Universe,” Miss USA” and “Miss Teen USA” pageant systems.”

After considering all of the testimony and other evidence presented, former United States District Court Magistrate Judge, The Honorable Theodore H. Katz issued an opinion concluding that Monnin defamed the Miss Universe Organization and awarding $5 million in damages.

The opinion finds that “the method in which the Miss USA Pageant is judged . . . precludes any reasonable possibility that the judging was rigged.” Judge Katz stated that Monnin’s “defamatory statements” about the Organization “were false,” “showed a reckless disregard” for the facts, and were “harmful to [the Organization's] business reputation.”  As a result of this clear showing of defamation, the Arbitrator concluded that the Organization was entitled to $5 million in damages.

“We are pleased that the integrity of the Miss USA pageant remains intact,” says Paula Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization. “We were always confident in what the outcome would be as the truth was on our side. Ms. Monnin could have avoided all of this had she chosen to act responsibly rather than seeking her 15 minutes of fame. Her reckless actions affected many people, including our state directors, the young women who participate in our system and Miss USA Olivia Culpo, who was the rightful winner of the pageant. We simply could not sit idly by and not take action while she pursued her personal agenda to the detriment of everyone affiliated with our company.”

Culpo will compete as Miss USA during the worldwide telecast of the 2012 “Miss Universe” pageant airing live from the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, this Wednesday, December 19 at 8PM ET on NBC.

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If you watched the Miss USA competition a few days ago, you will know that Olivia Culpo of Rhode Island won the pageant and will be competing in Miss Universe 2012.

The pageant was not as exciting this year as the past few years, but fans were still following the competition nationwide, live from the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in beautiful Las Vegas, Nevada.

The hosts of the competition this year were TV personalities Giuliana Rancic and Andy Cohen. Rancic looked stunning, even as it was recently revealed that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

A very interesting touch was that most of the competitors where wearing Sherri Hill Gowns. Many will not be familiar with Sherri Hill, but they specialize in prom and pageant evening dresses. The competitors this year looked as if they were very happy with dresses they were wearing – many looking exceptional in the designs.

Here’s how the competition went down. The night of the competition, the hosts introduced themselves and then they introduced correspondents who this year were fashion expert Jeannie Mai from “How Do I Look?” and  media personality and singer, Kelly Osbourne.

Then came the fashion show introducing the 51 contestants, who were then narrowed down to 16. This was followed by the swimsuit competition, which narrowed the field down to 10 contestants.

The New York-based band Cobra Starship performed during the evening gown competition.

When it came down to the results, the second runner-up was Audrey Bolte from Ohio, first runner-up Maryland’s Nana Meriwether and the winner who will represent USA at this year’s Miss Universe, Olivia Culpo.

Here are some quick facts about this year’s winner:

• At Saint Mary Academy Bay View High school, an all girl high school, the seeds of her pageant dreams were first planted. Going to an all girl school gave her a chance to be a role model for the younger girls and after being crowned at the Rhode Island Miss USA competition in September 2011, she set off to compete for title of Miss USA
• Olivia originally hails from Cranston, Rhode Island and is one of five children
• Her mother is a professional musician and Olivia has been playing the cello for 13 years, having performed at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall and Boston Symphony Orchestra
• Olivia had been modeling prior to entering the pageant
• She loves the Italian language

Following the competition, there has been some controversy in connection with the resigning Miss Pennsylvania, Sheena Monnin, who claims the contest was rigged. Her allegation has cast a shadow over the important beauty pageant, so much that Donald Trump, co-owner of the miss USA Pageant, has said that he will “sue” the former Miss Pennsylvania for her claims. It has been suggested that the rigging accusations are a cover-up for miss Monnin’s opposition to competing against a transgender competitor.

Image Courtsey of  Gage Skidmore

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