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The reigning Miss New Jersey claims someone is using photographs she posted on the Internet to try to force her to give up her crown.
Amy Polumbo and her attorney held a news conference at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park this afternoon to denounce the blackmail attempt.
The 22-year-old Howell woman said she received copies of between six and 12 of her photos in the mail on June 25 with a letter threatening to make them public unless she gives up her crown to the pageant’s first runner-up.
“Being crowned as Miss New Jersey is a dream come true. But that dream has now turned into a nightmare. I am presently the victim of blackmail and possible extortion,” Polumbo said.
Neither Polumbo nor her attorney, Anthony R. Caruso, would describe the photos, except to say that they are not lewd. They are shots Polumbo posted in a private section of an Internet photo-sharing site so her friends and family could see them, Polumbo said. Carouso said they appear to have been doctored. He is contacting state and federal authorities to identify the source of the alleged blackmail, who is believed to “be someone close to Amy,” Caruso said.
“We hope to have much more information as to the sources of this threat in the very near future,” Caruso said. “Until then, we are refraining from further comment as to the specifics of the photos or the letter.”
Polumbo’s aunt, Cathy Capper, said after the news conference that the photos are not at all revealing. In fact, she said, her niece appeared in less clothing during the swimsuit completion at the Miss New Jersey pageant where she won her title.
The beauty queen’s coach also rushed to her defense.
“She came to me a year ago with a dream. She showed me a Miss America Coloring Book that her Dad who passed away when she was small gave to her,” said Darlene Corrubia, herself a former Miss Monmouth County. “I have coached lots of young women with personal issues. Amy is kind and sincere. That will get her through this.”
There is a rich recent tradition of beauty pageant contestants being forced to return their tiaras.
Ashley Harder, last year’s Miss New Jersey USA, resigned in January because she was pregnant. Miss Nevada USA Katie Rees was stripped of her title after racy photos of her appeared on the Internet. And Miss USA Tara Conner was caught drinking in New York bars before she turned 21. Conner was allowed to keep her crown after she agreed to enter rehab.
If Polumbo did step down for some reason, first runner-up Ronica Licciardello would become Miss New Jersey.
Reached by phone at her Mount Laurel home today, Licciardello told the Associated Press she had not heard of the scandal. “I hope this situation is resolved in the best way possible,” she said.