pageant

Nov. 26 (UPI) — The co-owners of the Miss Universe Organization are facing charges: Rocha Cantu of Mexico on accusations that include drug and fuel trafficking, and Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip of Thailand with failing to appear at a hearing involving fraud.

The pageant has been embroiled in other controversies this year, including Jakkaphong out as CEO, financial instability, accusations of rigged judging and resignations by two of them, and protests by several contestants.

Prosecutors confirmed to media in Mexico that Cantu was formally charged by federal authorities in Mexico on accusations that include drug trafficking, illicit fuel distribution, weapons smuggling and participation in organized criminal activity.

The Attorney General’s Office requested an arrest warrant, the Spanish version of Forbes reported.

His multinational criminal network allegedly was operating for years under the guise of legitimate business structures.

According to court documents, an operation involving the illegal purchase and transport of fuel from Guatemala into Mexico. Fuel was allegedly altered to disguise its origin and avoid regulatory detection. The modified fuel was then sold through front companies tied to Rocha Cantu.

Also, he was allegedly involved in obtaining firearms and funneling them toward criminal groups in several Mexican states.

Rocha’s company in early 2024 purchased 50% of Miss Universe shares from JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd., which is owned by Jakkaphong.

JKN acquired the rights to the Miss Universe pageant from IMG Worldwide LLC in 2022.

Donald Trump owned Miss America from 1996 to 2015 and sold it to WME/IMG.

Jakkaphong became the first transgender woman to own the Miss Universe Organization.

In 2023, Jakkaphong was charged and released on bail, but she failed to appear as required for a court hearing in the fraud case on Tuesday in Bangkok, the Independent reported.

She failed to notify the court about her absence and was determined to be a flight risk, the Bangkok South District Court said.

A hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 26.

On Monday, JKN denied reports that Jakkaphong had liquidated the company’s assets and fled the country

In 2023, Jakkaphong and her company were sued for allegedly defrauding Raweewat Maschamadol in selling him the company’s corporate bonds.

Raweewat said he lost $930,362 in the investment.

JKN defaulted on payments to investors beginning in 2023 and debt rehabilitation procedures with the Central Bankruptcy Court began in 2024.

The company says its debts are $93 million.

After Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission accused her of falsifying the company’s 2023 financial statements, Jakkaphong resigned from all company positions in June.

She is still the company’s largest shareholder.

Jakkaphong, who starred in reality shows in Thailand, was not at the 74th Miss Universe competition in Bangkok on Nov. 19.

Fatima Bosch Fernandez of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025. She earlier walked out from the pageant after being berated by a Thai pageant executive.

Shortly before the finals, Gabrielle Henry, who is Miss Jamaica, fell and ended up in intensive care at a hospital.

Two judges reportedly resigned with allegations of judging misconduct.

And Thai police investigated allegations that event publicity included illegal promotion of online casinos.

On Sunday, Brigitta Schaback, who represented Estonia, announced that she was stepping down from her title.

The next day, Olivia Yace, who was the pageant’s fourth runner-up as Miss African and Oceania, also resigned. She added that she was also removing herself from “any future affiliation with the Miss Universe Committee.”

Days before the pageant began on Nov. 2, Mario Bucaro of Gautemala succeeded Jakrajutatip, who resigned from the position on June 20.

BANGKOK — A court in Thailand said Wednesday that it has issued an arrest warrant for a co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization in connection with a fraud case.

Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip was charged with fraud then released on bail in 2023. She failed to appear as required in a Bangkok court on Tuesday. Since she did not notify the court about her absence, she was deemed to be a flight risk, according to a statement from the Bangkok South District Court.

The court rescheduled the hearing for Dec. 26.

According to the court’s statement, Jakkaphong and her company, JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd., were sued for allegedly defrauding Raweewat Maschamadol in selling him the company’s corporate bonds in 2023. Raweewat says the investment caused him to lose $930,362.

Financially troubled JKN defaulted on payments to investors beginning in 2023 and began debt rehabilitation procedures with the Central Bankruptcy Court in 2024. The company says it has debts totaling about $93 million.

JKN acquired the rights to the Miss Universe pageant from IMG Worldwide LLC in 2022. In 2023, it sold 50% of its Miss Universe shares to Legacy Holding Group USA, which is owned by a Mexican businessman, Raúl Rocha Cantú.

Jakkaphong resigned from all of the company’s positions in June after being accused by Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission of falsifying the company’s 2023 financial statements. She remains its largest shareholder.

Her whereabouts remain unclear. She did not appear at the 74th Miss Universe competition, which was held in Bangkok earlier this month.

This year’s competition was marred by various problems, including a sharp-tongued scolding by a Thai organizer of Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico, who was crowned Miss Universe 2025 on Nov. 19. Two judges reportedly dropped out, with one suggesting that there was an element of rigging to the contest. Separately, Thai police investigated allegations that publicity for the event included illegal promotion of online casinos.

On Monday, JKN denied rumors that Jakkaphong had liquidated the company’s assets and fled the country, but there has been no immediate reaction regarding the arrest warrant. She could not be reached for comment.

Jakkaphong is a well-known celebrity in Thailand who has starred in reality shows and is outspoken about her identity as a transgender woman.

Saksornchai writes for the Associated Press.