Racy Pic May Cost Miss Calif. Her Crown

Sources Say Pageant Officials Mulling Move After Web Site Posts Semi-Nude Image Of Her

(CBS/AP)  CBS News has learned that Miss California USA officials are considering stripping Carrie Prejean of her title.

They say she may have violated her contract by posing semi-nude as a model, and also by working -- without the pageant's permission -- for a group opposed to same-sex marriage, reports CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy.

Prejean was runner-up in the Miss USA competition last month, and many observers feel anti-gay-marriage remarks she made during the pageant cost her that crown.

Prejean says the fallout over those remarks has made her the victim of "intimidation tactics that seek to undermine my reputation."

As for the photo, she says it was taken when she was just seventeen. Pageant officials say it may have been much more recent than that and, says Tracy, that may be enough to make her the former Miss California.

CBS News legal analyst Lisa Bloom says she's taken a close look at Prejean's employment contract with the Miss California pageant and, "They've got her cold. If they want to fire her, they can fire her."

Bloom adds that terms of the pact make clear that it doesn't even matter when the picture was taken, and that pageant officials get to decide what is and isn't an inappropriate photo of a title holder.

Prejean says the photo was posted in an attempt to belittle her Christianity. She says it was released "surreptitiously to a tabloid Web site that openly mocks me for my Christian faith."

In her statement, Prejean also says the attacks on her and others who "speak in defense of traditional marriage" are intolerant and offensive.

The photo, showing Prejean wearing only pink panties with her back turned to the camera, appeared Monday on the gossip blog theDirty.com.

[MilburnS]

Two Issues: First, if she lied on the entry form and it indicated that she would lose her crown for lying; she should lose her crown. The pictures are not the issue; it is and should be the misinformation she provided.
Second: As Ms USA she would be required to be diplomatic in all situations. The expression of her personal views would be at times, inappropriate. Her answer to the question should have been less pointed. She could have said that she believed that the decision whether to allow gay marriages is a matter for the people in each individual state to decide and that she was unable to speculate whether the current trend would continue. Now THAT would have been thinking on her feet during a stressful period!

[seriiious]

She is representing USA! No matter representing California or USA, she should be elegant, not vulgar or indecent.
Only beauty is not enough, must have intelligent. Intelligent lady should responsible for what she has done. So, could this behavior representing all American women's intelligent. Do you want to tell the whole world there is no dignity on American women's body?
Just like any government official with scandal should leave office!!!

[tooshort6889]

WHO ARE WE TO JUDGE??? THE ONE WITHOUT SIN, CAST THE FIRST STONE. I BET NO ONE CAN DO THAT ,HUH? LET GOD JUDGE HER.YOU DON'T HAVE TO STAND UP WHEN GOD CALLS HER NAME!

[tooshort6889]

People don't start degrading Christians,that's whats wrong with the world now! Everyone is human and last time I checked it says"
Christians aren't perfect but forgivin". This girl just spoke what she knows to be right,so leave her alone!

[srolmeda]

I happen to share the same views as Miss California. If found that she violated the contract requirements, Then she should be held accountable for that only

[jasperlily]

I don't know about the racy photos - haven't seen them. But as far as her views on gay marriage, she should be free, like anyone else, to voice her opinion either pro or con. Since when are we to be denied our opinion on a subject for fear of losing our job? I could care less about gay marriage, I think it should be between a man and a woman but I'm not against legal union for gays. But if it's passed that gays can "marry", why should I care? It doesn't affect me because I won't be "marrying" a gay person anyhow.

[Sebastian Michael]

I AM SO TIRED..........
of people discussing religion when it comes to gay marriage. THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH EACH OTHER!
1)Leave your bible at home when you go to vote.
2)Stop teaching your kids to hate. Grow up and be a responsible parent.
3)Look at Massachusetts! Gay marriage has been legal there for YEARS and they're doing just fine!
4)Stop saying that gay marriage threatens hetero marriages. What a laugh!
If you wanna bring God into it fine. Does God want you to hate? Probably not. Then stop playing God and let HIM do the judging. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!

[rainbowroosie]

Let's be up front with our responses:

1. I think gay marriage is fine -- crucify her.
2. I think gay marriage is an abomination -- crucify gays.
3. I think all christians are religious terorists -- crucify them.

So, we have a simplified string. Please just answer 1, 2, or 3, then add four or five cuss words to add substance to your logic.

[lross47-2009]

Huh...last time I checked Christians aren't perfect, unlike the rest of you that slam a person for being a Christian and making a mistake. What you need to do is look in the mirror and examin your own life and deeds and the things that come out of your mouth everyday before you condem one person for standing up for their own morals. She said what she feels. Why should she lie to all of you just to make you happy. THAT would be a sin. Stop and think before you point fingers. You all say Christian are not tolerant, when it is you that are the most untolerent. Who cares if she wins a silly pagent or wears a little crown on her head . . .whoopi. It means so much to all of you. Will you be wearing one when you die. . . .she probably will and it will be much better than any cheap piece of metal and stone you can find on this earth. Go on with your meaningless lives, thinking this is all there is. . . . ..! Oh, by the way. . . we don't shuv the bible down your throats, we put the Word of God out there for all to hear. It is your choice to accept it or not.

Hold your ground Carrie! You did what was right.

[keithle1]

Excellent. That's karma, babycakes. I'm sick of Christians. Always spreading The Word. Shoving down the Bible down your throat. Don't like it? Too bad. Here's more. We're here to judge & condemn. You must be like us.

Who looks to young blondes for wisdom?