The Miss Universe Organization says it is seeking monetary damages for ``defamatory statements'' made by a former contestant who alleges the pageant was rigged. The pageant filed an arbitration action Friday against Sheena Monnin, the Miss Pennsylvania USA who resigned her crown this week. Earlier Friday, Monnin told NBC's ``Today'' show she was standing by her claim that a fellow contestant told her she saw a list of finalists hours before the pageant. Miss Universe officials say Monnin actually resigned because organizers decided to admit transgender contestants. Monnin said there are ``myriad'' reasons she stepped down but the list of finalists was her primary motivation. A lawyer for pageant organizers say the action was filed with a private dispute entity named in the contestant contract.
