(Jamaica Gleaner) – Sharlene Radlein has been stripped of the Miss Universe Jamaica crown.
The decision was taken to relinquish the Jamaica-born, US-based beauty queen of her role last Friday.
Miss Universe Jamaica’s principals made the announcement at a press conference at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Monday.
“Since being crowned … we have painstakingly sought to guide Ms Radlein in a manner which reflects the vision and ideals of the organisation. However, her actions have been wholly inconsistent with the culture of the pageant, both locally and internationally,” the principals said.
The stripping of Radlein comes after she filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court on July 20.
Karl Williams, fellow Miss Universe Jamaica manager Mark McDermoth, and Uzuri International Designs are the registered holders of the Miss Universe franchise, and are being sued by Radlein.
In the lawsuit, Radlein alleges that the defendants are in breach of an agreement to award her a prize package valued at more than $2 million, and in further breach by not paying over the cash portion of the prize due since January.
The defendants have 14 days to acknowledge the claims that have been served on them, and 42 days to file a counterclaim outlining the facts on which they will be relying.
