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In Court

Dethroned Miss Florida USA sues pageant for $15 million for defamation

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Genesis Davila, Miss Florida USA 2017 who's crown was recently taken away, wipes her eye as she speaks during a news conference, Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, in Miami. (AP)

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    Attorney Richard Wolfe, points to a photo and posting on social media by Genesis Davila, center, Miss Florida USA 2017 who's crown was recently taken away, as she holds hands with her coach and life mentor Jenny Patrizia, during a news conference, Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, in Miami. (AP)

A former Miss Florida USA winner is suing the pageant after organizers took her crown and accused her of cheating.

The Miami Herald reports that attorneys for 24-year-old Genesis Davila filed the suit Monday, asking a Miami-Dade circuit judge to issue an emergency injunction restoring her title. The suit also seeks $15 million for defamation.

Former Miss Florida Genesis Davila's hottest shots

Davila was crowned July 16 in Fort Lauderdale and then dethroned six days later. Pageant director Grant Gravitt Jr. cited an Instagram post showing Davila getting professional hair and makeup help, a violation of pageant rules.

Davila's lawyer, Richard Wolfe, presented an enlarged photo of the post during a Monday news conference. It showed the photo was dated more than a week before the contest.

A voicemail and email seeking comment from Miss Florida USA weren't returned.

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