Former Miss California & Pageant Organizers End Skirmish


Last Update: 11/04 6:31 am
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Carrie Prejean
Carrie Prejean
SAN DIEGO - Former Miss California USA Carrie Prejean and pageant officials announced on Tuesday they settled dueling lawsuits in which the San Diego native alleged she was stripped of her crown because of her religious beliefs.

The 22-year-old beauty queen sued the pageant's co-executive directors, Keith Lewis and former Miss USA Shanna Moakler, as well as pageant publicist Roger Neal, on allegations of libel, slander and religious discrimination in Los Angeles Superior Court in August.

The pageant then countersued Prejean in October, asking to be reimbursed for her breast implants.

"Carrie Prejean, Keith Lewis and K2 Productions have dropped their claim against each other and wish each other the best in their future endeavors," a joint statement announcing the end of the litigation reads.

No details on the terms were divulged.



Prejean was fired in June for allegedly missing scheduled appearances and for showing up at ones that were not approved by pageant officials.

But Prejean maintained she was removed because of controversial remarks she made in April during the Miss USA pageant after being questioned by celebrity blogger Perez Hilton about gay marriage.

Prejean responded that she believed marriage should only be between men and women.

"No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised," Prejean said.

The suit was the second in 16 months to be filed against Lewis by a former Miss California. In April 2008, Christina Silva sued him after she was stripped of her title due to a vote-tabulation error by pageant officials.

Silva, a Latina, maintained she was the victim of racial bias. She dropped her suit in February.
Earlier Reports:


Honor for Miss California Nixed
 5/14/09
A local school board decides against Carrie Prejean Day. 

Carrie Prejean Keeps Her Crown
  5/13/09
Donald Trump declines to fire San Diego resident as Miss California as more semi-nude photos of her surface.

Woman Who Discovered Prejean Reacts
  5/12/09
San Diego 6 News Exclusive: the San Diego woman who discovered Miss California Carrie Prejean reacts to Donald Trump's decision not to fire Carrie.

Miss California Keeps Her Crown
 5/12/09
San Diego resident Carrie Prejean survives attempts to remove her Miss California title and speaks about the experience. 

Trump Says Carrie Stays
  5/12/09
Miss USA pageant owner announces San Diego resident Carrie Prejean will retain her titles as Miss California and Miss USA runner-up.

Miss California Fate
 
Pageant officials took away some of Carrie Prejean's duties as Miss California and gave them to runner-up Tami Ferrel, naming her the Miss California Ambassador.

Miss California News Conference
 5/11/09
News conference criticizing Miss California Carrie Prejean. 

Miss California Photo Controversy
 5/5/09
A gossip site publishes a racy photo of Carrie Prejean and claims to have more nude photos of the Christian college student and beauty pageant contestant. 

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  4/30/09
Miss California is helping kick off a campaign to promote opposite marriage.

Miss California Carrie Prejean
 4/27/09
San Diego resident talks about the Miss USA gay marriage controversy. 

Miss California & Gay Marriage
 4/25/09
Miss USA contestant Carrie Prejean talks with San Diego 6 about the controversy over her views on same-sex marriage. 

Pageant Controversy 4/21/09
Days after Miss California was asked a controversial question regarding gay marriage, judge Perez Hilton continues to lash out. 

Pageant Comment
 4/20/09
San Diegan, Carrie Prejean answers tough question about same-sex marriage. 

Local Girl Miss USA Runner-Up
A San Diego came close to taking the crown in the Miss USA pageant.






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