Ms. USA Contestant Must Pay Donald Trump $5M for "Rigged" Claim
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- July 5, 2013
A Manhattan federal judge has ordered Miss Pennslyvania Sheena Monnin to pay Donald Trump’s Miss Universe contest a seven-figure sum for her unfounded claims that the event was rigged.
“The court does not take lightly that Monnin is compelled to pay what is a devastating monetary award,” Judge J. Paul Oetken wrote in his Tuesday decision.
“Morever, Monnin undeniable is suffering from her poor choice of counsel … (But) sympathy, or apparent inequity, may play no role in a court’s legal analysis, and here, the law is clear.”
Monnin accused Trump’s Miss USA Pageant of working from a script where the final 16 contestants and top five finishers were all predetermined.
The pageant sued Monnin for $10 million, winning $5 million of it. Monnin never responded to notices about the case, apparently on the advice of her attorney.
“Blindly, but perhaps understandably, Monnin put her trust in her attorney, believing that he would represent her interests,” Oetken wrote.
“Unfortunately, (he) chose to ignore the responsibilities owed to his client, along with the ethical duties governing his profession.”
Source: nydailynews.com.feedsportal.com
